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?^>>  OT  THB 

'UIITBBSIIT] 


no-"  "by  A  n  Rit,-'hia 


C^. 


'ZA^'-K^ 


AMERICA 


AS  I  FOUND  IT. 

BY    THE 

MOTHER  OF  MARY   LUNDIE  DUNCAN. 


"That  great  country,  the  United  States."— Sir  Robert  Peel  in  the  Hou^e  of 
"  May  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  move  hand  in  hand  as  brethren  in  th« 
regeneration  of  the  world."— jK  D.  Smith,  D.D.,  New  York. 


NEW   YORK: 

ROBERT    CARTER    &    BROTHERS, 

No.    285    BROADWAY. 

1852. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852,  by 

ROBERT  CARTER  &  BROTHERS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


T.   B.   SMITH,    STEHEOTYPEB,  B.    CHAIGHEAD,   PBINTEB, 

216  William  Street,  New  York.  53  Vesey  Street. 


^ttJ> 


'^nhn. 


About  thirty  years  ago,  articles  appeared  "  Quarterly" 
in  a  London  Review,  which  filled  the  surrounding  at- 
mosphere with  their  evil  odors,  and  whose  venom  was 
unhappily  not  spent  when  it  had  crossed  three  thousand 
miles  of  "  blue  water,"  so  that  they  excited  swellings 
and  high  disdain  as  they  spread  in  the  United  States. 
Yet  it  is  probable  all  the  articles  dropped  from  one  pen, 
filled  with  gall.  The  pen,  one  may  suppose,  of  some 
ancient  Tory,  whose  ancestors  had  suffered  in  the  War 
of  Independence,  or  whose  political  creed  admitted  not 
of  safety  except  in  feudality  and  hereditary  government, 
and  who  therefore  was  embittered  by  hearing  of  pros- 
perity beyond  it. 

These  splenetic  articles  originated  or  prolonged  ani- 
mosities in  their  day,  though  they  probably  emanated 
from  the  pen  of  a  person  sufficiently  insignificant.  That 
day  is  past.  But,  if  injurious  impressions  were  made  by 
one  insignificant  character,  it  is  possible  that  contrary 


VI  PEEFACE. 


impressions  may  be  produced  by  another.  It  was  a  little 
mouse,  according  to  iEsop,  that  gnawed  the  net  which 
entangled  the  lion,  and  set  the  forest  monarch  free. 
The  mouse  would  have  missed  a  fine  opportunity,  had 
it  at  the  moment  refused  to  gnaw.  It  possessed  indus- 
try and  influence,  and  used  them.  Every  one  is  pos- 
sessed of  some  degree  of  influence ;  if  it  be  met  by  en- 
ergy, and  leisure  to  put  it  forth,  it  must  not  lie  inactive, 
though  it  be  but  small. 

The  unpretending  traces  of  what  fell  under  every  day 
experience,  here  offered  to  the  public,  come  from  one 
who  visited  America  with  cordial  feeling  and  ardent  ex- 
pectation, and  was  not  disappointed.  Of  course  many 
subjects,  such  as  literature  and  politics,  run  in  parallel 
lines  with  such  as  are  treated  here.  But  they  have  been 
plentifully  delineated  by  others,  and  this  affords  a  plea 
for  their  entire  omission,  which  the  incompetence  of  the 
writer  willingly  embraces,  while  religious  and  social  hab- 
its fall  naturally  within  the  range  of  her  remark. 

The  diversities  between  America  and  Great  Britain 
are  only  sufficient  to  add  the  raciness  of  novelty  to  the 
observer's  enjoyment.  America  is  the  country  in  which 
to  form  rapid  and  cordial  acquaintances,  and  from  which 
to  carry  friendships  against  whose  continuance  even  the 
last  enemy  has  no  power.    Character  comes  forth  natu- 


PREFACE.  Vll 


rally  there,  and  is  therefore  piquante  and  charming. 
Heart  flows  out  fearlessly,  and  is  therefore  ardent. 

A  nation  so  prosperous  does  not  need,  or  condescend 
to  wish  for  adulation.  It  is  far  above  flattery — ^but  it 
demands  justice,  and  in  several  cases  has  failed  to  obtain 
it  from  English  tourists. 

The  light  pages  which  follow,  design  to  be  just,  can- 
did, and  kind — not  "  hinting  a  fault,  and  hesitating  a  dis- 
like," but  admiring  and  blaming  with  equal  simplicity. 

Every  one  admits  that  the  present  condition  of  things 
on  the  earth  is  not  what  it  ought  to  be,  either  as  it  re- 
spects nations  or  individuals.  None  of  my  readers  would 
say  they  are  perfect,  or  that  their  country  is  perfect. 
We  are,  or  ought  to  be,  trying  to  improve.  If  I  have, 
in  some  one  or  two  painful  instances,  been  obliged  to 
allude  to  that  which  is  evil,  and  ought  to  be  changed,  I 
say  no  more  than  what  millions  of  the  citizens  of  the 
"  freest  country  in  the  world"  think.  If  my  small  meed 
of  approbation  were  of  any  value,  it  would  be  reduced 
to  worthlessness  by  the  absence  of  sincerity,  in  reference 
to  circumstances  which  I  must  mourn  over  or  disap- 
prove. '  Let  me  be  true — or  nothing ! 

The  time  is  on  the  wing,  which  will  reduce  all  nations, 
with  all  their  various  governments,  into  one  vast  mon- 
archy.   Whatever  we  are  under  now,  whether  a  despot- 


VIU  PREFACE. 


ism,  a  monarchy,  or  a  republic,  then  those  who  have  ac- 
cepted the  covenant  of  peace,  will  find  themselves  under 
the  gracious  dominion  of  Him  on  whose  head  are  many 
crowns.  His  throne  is  the  holy  hill  of  Zion.  Under 
His  government  there  are  neither  bond  nor  free,  for  all 
are  His  willing  subjects — freemen  whom  His  truth  hath 
made  free.  Those  who  are  given  to  Him  out  of  the 
world,  will  all  be  subjects  in  the  Kingdom  that  enduk- 

ETH   FOREVER. 


Edinburgh,  February,  1862. 


€M\nU. 


PAQK 

Iniroductort 11 

The  Children 25 

The  Common  Schools  and  Free  Academy 43 

Sabbath  Schools 66 

"  Boys'  Meeting" ^5 

Adopted  Children 92 

Collegiate  Schools 103 

The  Churches 120 

The  Prayer  Meeting 131 

The  Sacramental  Services 148 

"A  Bee" 159 

The  Wedding 164 

The  Cities 177 

Hotels  and  Boarding  Houses 194 

The  Domestics 209 

The  Funerals 230 

The  Cemeteries  and  Firemen 246 

The  Colored  Race 253 

The  Colonization  Society §^ 

The  Prisons 283 

Juvenile  Delinquents  and  Benevolent  Societies.  . . .  298 

The  Islands 320i 

Deaf  and  Blind 335 

The  Widow. 350 

Various  Country  Districts 360 

Railways 377 

A  Hill  Country 384 

Manners  and  Customs 397 

Niagara 423 


3iilrnJ[tirtnrti, 

The  English  traveller  who,  having  crossed  the 
Channel,  steps  on  shore  at  Calais  or  Ostend,  finds 
himself  much  more  decidedly  from  home  and  re- 
moved to  a  foreign  land,  than  he  who,  having  crossed 
the  ocean,  lands  at  New  York.  The  identity  of 
language,  though  not  the  only  reason,  is  the  most 
powerful  cause  of  this.  Sensible  people,  accustomed 
to  explain  themselves  with  perspicuity,  find  them- 
selves when  using  a  foreign  language  reduced  to  an 
incapacity,  childish  in  appearance,  and  painful  be- 
cause of  its  uncertainty. 

A  humorist,  describing  his  landing  in  France,  said 
the  ducks  in  the  hen-yard  were  the  only  things  he 
was  sure  he  understood,  for  they  quacked  in  good 
broad  Scotch. 

The  language,  then,  is  a  great  point  of  affinity, 
and  a  wonderful  convenience.  But  there  are  a  thou- 
sand other  points  which  give  a  home-feeling  to  the 
British  visitant  of  the  United  States.     Some  are 


12  INTRODUCTORY. 

obvious  and  striking,  and  some  not  the  less  attract- 
ing, because  they  are  among  the  finer  chords  which 
elude  the  eye  of  the  careless  observer. 

Man,  in  whatever  climate  he  dwells,  and  under 
whatever  modifications  of  habit,  progress,  and  insti- 
tution he  is  met,  still  identifies  himself  with  his  race, 
and  claims  to  have  sprung  from  the  same  Creator's 
hand.  Born  in  what  zone  soever,  he  has  a  mind 
which  will  do  some  thinking  work,  and  will  have  its 
conjectures  about  the  future  prospects  of  the  im- 
mortal part  that  he  feels  stir  within  him.  His  ob- 
ject of  fear  or  worship  may  be  some  monster  of  ter- 
ror, or  some  pleasant  myth.  It  matters  not  which, 
for  either  indicates  the  presence  of  a  spiritual  part, 
which  seeks  a  spirit  to  have  sprung  from,  to  trust 
in,  to  return,  to,  when  the  struggle  of  life  shall  be 
ended. 

When  man  is  enriched  by  divine  revelation,  and 
gives  himself  to  its  guidance,  he  has  found  a  com- 
pass to  steer  by  ;  he  falls  into  the  track  that  leads 
him  safely  and  uniformly,  and  in  it  he  meets  with 
fellow-travellers.  Introduce  the  light  of  revelation, 
and  his  vain  fancies  fall  out  of  view ;  philosophical 
and  painful  conjecture  folds  its  weary  wing,  and  he 
reposes  on  that  which  commends  itself  to  his  mind 
as  common  sense,  and  to  his  heart  as  simple  truth. 


INTRODUCTORY.  13 


Christianity  is  the  electric  chain  which  unites  com- 
munities, whatever  be  their  external  diversities,  and, 
however  their  mere  temporal  advantages  may  be  op- 
posed, it  combines  their  highest  interest.  It  pro- 
duces uniformity  of  motive,  of  sentiment,  and  ac- 
tion.    It  is  the  parent  of  peace. 

This  is  the  bond  which  to  the  British  Christian 
renders  America  a  second  native  land.  Whatever 
he  has  found  of  holy  aim  and  zealous  effort  to  attach 
him  to  his  home,  he  will  find  there,  in  a  form  slight- 
ly varied,  but  imbued  with  the  same  spirit, — and 
thus  he  combines  safety  and  improvement  with 
travel,  he  finds  sympathy  with  strangers,  and  enjoys 
confiding  trust  in  the  midst  of  all  the  gratifications 
arising  from  novelty. 

Diversity  of  clime,  complexion,  manners,  and  even 
of  tongue,  cannot  separate,  if  the  great  pulses  of  the 
heart  beat  in  unison.  A  Welsh  missionary  from 
Ohio,  on  the  platform  at  the  Tabernacle  in  New 
York,  mentioned  a  Welsh  woman  who  walked  often 
six  miles  to  worship,  though  she  did  not  understand 
English.  The  reason  she  gave  for  this  was,  that  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  often  occurred  in  the  service, 
and  the  sound  of  it  warmed  her  heart.  So,  people 
from  all  lands,  wlw  know  Him^  are  united  in  heart, 
under  that  name  which  is  above  every  name. 


14  mTKODUCTOBY. 


It  would  be  a  dull  world,  and  not  much  worth  ex- 
ploring, were  there  no  national  and  peculiar  charac- 
teristics, and  he  is  a  dull  traveller  who  only  admires 
and  approves  in  proportion  as  things  resemble  his 
home.  The  organ  of  comparison  is  useful  when  in 
enlarged  and  generous  exercise,  but  is  poor  and  con- 
temptible when  it  leads  us  only  to  depreciate  and 
censure.  And  patriotism,  that ,  generous  instinct 
productive  of  a  happy  preference  for,  and  content 
ment  in,  our  own  land,  dwindles  into  narrow-minded 
selfishness  if  it  leads  us  to  regard  the  success  and 
prosperity  of  other  countries  with  a  jealous  eye,  or 
to  desire  to  depreciate  the  excellencies  which  they 
possess.  We  may  each  hold  our  preference  for  our 
own  country  with  a  grain  of  allowance,  and  be  will- 
ing that  each  should  think 

"  The  land  of  his  birth 
The  loveliest  land  on  the  face  of  the  earth," 

if  he  only  willingly  discerns  the  loveliness  of  other 
lands.     The  worn-out  colored  man  crying, 

"  But  now  I'm  old  and  feeble  too, 
I  cannot  work  any  more, 
0  carry  me  back  to  old  Virginia,  to  old  Virginia's  shore," 

though  singing  of  a  place  of  bondage,  yet  loves  the 
home  of  his  childhood,  and  is  exercismg  the  same 


INTRODUCTORY,  15 

sentiment  which  swelled  the  heart  of  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  when  in  decrepitude  and  infirmity  he  almost 
flung  himself  out  of  the  carriage  on  coming  within 
sight  of  Abbotsford.  And  again,  the  same  senti- 
ment, multiplied  a  thousand-fold,  burst  from  the 
hearts  and  lips  of  the  German  army,  returning 
weary  and  worn  from  Bonaparte's  wars,  when,  on 
reaching  the  mountain  top,  they  rent  the  air  with 
one  long  shout,  "  Am  Rhein  !  am  Rhein  !"  Let  us 
love  our  countries,  but  let  us  also  love  our  friends ; 
let  us  be  faithful  patriots,  but  also  enlarged  citizens 
of  the  world.  Let  us  honor  worth  wherever  it 
exists,  and  delight  to  recognize  true  sympathies 
wherever  we  can  find  them.  Those  petty  criticisms 
of  manners  and  of  "  notions,"  which  are  no  more 
dignified  than  the  squabbles  for  precedence  of  rival 
Misses  at  a  ball — how  unworthy  are  they  of  two 
great  nations  who  know  that  each,  after  their  own 
model,  are  free — how  lowering  to  men  who  have  a 
higher  than  human  tribunal  to  stand  before,  and  a 
loftier  object  than  man-pleasing  to  aim  at ! 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  of  the  United 
States  by  English  men  and  women,  and  unhappily, 
there  has  been  more  displeasure  excited,  and  temper 
shown  on  both  sides,  than  the  occasion  warranted. 
Diedrich  Knickerbocker  has  quizzed,  and   Cooper 


16  INTRODUCTORY. 

has  censured  and  criticized,  and  Mrs.  Kirkland  has 
described,  each  saying  according  to  their  fancy, 
things  more  keen  than  most  of  what  has  been  said 
by  English  tourists — and  their  countrymen  have 
borne  it  well,  and  confessed,  when  called  upon,  the 
truth  of  their  censures.  But  let  a  remark  much 
less  pungent  drop  from  an  English  pen,  and  one 
would  think  that  the  ghosts  of  the  Stamp  Act, 
the  Tax  on  Tea,  and  all  the  long  horrors  of  a  war 
amongst  brethren  were  risen  up  to  revive  ambition, 
wrath,  jealousy,  and  every  evil  thing  which  wisdom, 
brotherly  love,  and  Christian  charity,  would  wish  to 
plunge  deep  into  the  caves  of  the  ocean,  which  di- 
vides and  yet  unites  us.  It  has  been  said  of  flat- 
tery, that  it  is  so  pleasant,  that  if  it  be  but  adminis- 
tered warily,  the  wisest  man  living  could  bear  it  laid 
on  in  shovels-full,  and  such  is  self-complacency  or 
love  of  approbation  in  many,  that  probably  there  is 
truth  in  the  saying.  But  in  the  abstract  each  per- 
son of  common  sense  and  common  observation  will 
admit  that,  as  no  individual,  so  also  no  nation  is 
faultless.  And  it  does  not  become  a  great  nation 
like  the  United  States,  possessing  much  to  rejoice 
in,  and  much  to  be  thankful  for,  to  condescend  to 
covet  flattery,  or  to  yield  to  irritation  at  the  state- 
ments of  passing  observers.     Part  of  them  haply 


INTEODUCTORY.  17 

mistakes,  while  some  of  them  are  undoubtedly  true. 
Moreover,  in  such  a  wide  country,  society  is  made 
up  of  numerous  circles,  which  as  little  resemble 
each  other  as  do  the  people  of  different  countries. 
Therefore,  a  description  of  one  circle  may  appear 
over-colored  or  absolutely  false  to  another,  but  be 
quite  true  nevertheless.  What  points  of  assimila- 
tion would  be  found  between  the  accomplished  judge 
on  the  bench  or  the  divine  in  his  study,  and  the  man 
of  suddenly-found  fortune  working  off  his  exuberant 
spirits  by  trotting  fifteen  miles  an  hour  up  the  Third 
Avenue,  and  calling  to  his  peers  (though  mayhap 
not  his  acquaintances)  as  he  scours  past  them,  "  Q-o 
ahead,  boys  !  go  ahead !"  The  judge  or  the  divine 
might  suppose  this  an  exaggeration,  as  their  pur- 
suits keep  them  ^part  from  such  lively  youths — and 
yet  they  are  their  townsmen. 

If  a  "  lady,"  whose  associates  have  been  strolling 
players  or  backwoods  people  in  a  very  raw  settle- 
ment, tells  all  the  vulgarities  she  met  with  in  such 
society,  why  should  it  ruffle  the  plumes  of  the  dove- 
like dwellers  among  persons  of  refined  taste  in  a 
civilized  state  ?  The  same  "  lady"  if  it  suited"  her 
to  enter  into  minutiae  about  home,  could  probably 
tell  you  similar  tales — or  if  a  gentleman  takes  it 
into  his  head  to  imagine  that  his  readers  will  be  in- 
2 


18  INTRODUCTOEY. 


terested  in  his  descriptions  of  the  use  of  tobacco, 
and  its  disgusting  consequences  in  such  rough  con- 
veyances as  canal  boats,  or  amid  such  unpolished 
members  as  are  some  of  the  congressional  repre- 
sentatives from  the  newly  settled  and  "far,  far 
west,"  why  let  him  do  \i  if  it  be  true. — Perhaps 
were  he  himself  engaged  in  clearing  an  untrodden 
forest,  or  draining  an  impracticable  swamp,  or 
dwelling  on  a  misty  stream  where  fever  and  ague 
prevail,  he  also  might  find  a  use  in  departing  from 
his  tobacco  horrors,  and  instead  of  exciting  dis- 
pleasure, his  hints  might  be  improved  into  a  more 
cleanly  use  of  the  preventative.  He  might  set  up 
for  a  pattern  tobacco  eater,  and  teach  the  world. 
It  is  not  for  me  to  question  the  reality  of  such  de- 
scriptions. The  things  happen  a»  all  admit  they 
do,  but,  as  they  did  not  happen  in  my  circle,  I 
never  saw  them. 

A  captain  bold  being  carried  to  a  missionary 
meeting,  came  away  laughing  to  see  the  Yorkshire 
folks  so  "humbugged,"  for  he  had  been  eighteen 
years  in  India,  and  had  never  heard  of,  much  less 
seen,  a  missionary.  The  man  was  honest  in  his  state- 
ment.   There  are  missionaries  in  India  nevertheless  ! 

Looking  back  on  the  ancestry  of  the  United 
States,  and  considering  brother  Jonathan  as  a  well- 


INTRODUCTORY.  19 

grown  and  thriving  youth,  who  knows  his  own  af- 
fairs, and  does  not  feel  any  want  of  paternal  govern- 
ment, one  understands  that  a  degree  of  jealousy  and 
displeasure  may  arise  against  criticisms,  which  pre- 
vents their  being  profited  by,  even  where  they  are 
known  to  be  just.  Yet  many  a  brother  has  been 
cured  of  biting  his  nails,  and  many  a  sister  has 
been  broken  of  some  awkward  trick  by  a  little  good- 
natured  bantering  at  the  family  fireside;  and  if 
Jonathan  could  cure  John  of  his  self-suf&cient 
pride,  and  John  could  subdue  in  Jonathan  his  love 
of  boasting,  each  would  have  done  the  other  good 
service.  We  are  all  of  one  blood.  Saxon  to  the 
core,  and  perhaps  it  is  because  we  resemble  each 
other  so  nearly  that  we  stand  each  other's  criticisms 
so  ill.  What  a  much  better  game  have  we  discov- 
ered to  play  at  when  Jonathan  is  exerting  all  his 
ingenuity  to  pick  John's  cunning  lock  while  the 
Bank  of  England  is  ordering  transatlantic  locks  for 
his  strong  box,  or  when  the  English  Yacht  and  the 
American  Clipper  are  speeding  together  through 
the  waves,  and  the  one  learning  from  the  other  how 
to  form  his  keel,  so  as  to  cut  them  more  deftly. 

It  is  in  our  power  to  help  and  to  teach  each 
other  in  a  thousand  ways,  were  we  but  in  the  vein 
for  it — and  why  should  we  not  be  ?     I  lay  no  great 


20  INTRODUCTORY. 

emphasis  on  the  limited  cousinship  arising  from  the 
old  story  of  the  three  brothers  that  came  all  over 
in  one  ship,  and  how  three  came  from  Shropshire 
and  settled  in  one  state,  and  three  from  Warwick- 
shire and  settled  in  another,  &c.,  &c.  That  is  a 
relationship  whose  footprints  are  presently  lost  sight 
of  amid  the  sands  of  time — ^but  there  are  holier  and 
nobler  points  of  affinity,  which,  feel  as  we  may  upon 
it,  proclaim  us  brethren.  Are  there  not  the  institu- 
tions and  aspirations  of  freemen  ?  Are  there  not 
the  mutual  efforts  of  industrious  and  ingenious 
men  ?  Have  we  not  the  raw  material  in  the  one 
coimtry,  and  the  manufactures  in  the  other  ?  Are 
there  not  the  genial  and  balmy  outgoings  of  hospi- 
table men  ?  Are  there  not  the  skilful  and  untiring 
exertions  of  benevolent  and  philanthropic  men? 
Are  there  not  the  contritions,  the  faith,  the  hope, 
and  the  walk  of  Christian  men,  that  unite  the  brav- 
est and  the  best  of  both  our  countries  proclaiming 
us  brethren,  at  present,  and  preparing  the  way  to 
unions  in  the  world,  that  is  wide  enough,  wise 
enough,  and  holy  enough  to  make  a  final  home  for 
us  all,  and  where — if  we  cannot  before — we  shall 
see  and  feel  distinctly  that  "  all  we  are  brethren  ?" 
The  heart  of  America  at  this  very  juncture  beats 
in  unison  with  the  heart  of  England,  in  regard  to 


INTRODUCTOEY.  21 

the  European  struggle  for  liberty ;  and  tho  hand  of 
America  is  stretched  across  the  Atlantic  in  defiance 
of  the  oppressors,  and  in  aid  of  the  oppressed. 
Have  we  not  been  gladdened  to  see  the  exile  and 
the  refugee  find  a  free  home  in  the  United  States  ? 
and  is  it  not  a  generous  rivalship  that  has  been 
practised  by  both  countries  in  seeking  who  first 
should  welcome  and  sustain  Kossuth,  the  hero,  who 
if  he  bring  with  him  the  heart  and  hopes  of  Hun- 
gary, meets  where  he  comes  the  heart  and  hopes  of 
freemen  ? — Sacred  is  the  deposit  of  freedom.  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States  have  that  deposit  in 
charge  for  the  relief  of  a  despot-ridden  world. 
They  must  not,  they  dare  not  dissipate  their  in- 
fluence in  petty  rivalries  and  family  quarrels.  They 
are  bound  to  unite  to  make  its  weight  felt  in  the 
kingdoms  of  oppression  and  imprisonment. 

More  than  thirty  years  have  elapsed,  with  their 
clouds  and  sunshine  since  the  first  American  whose 
society  we  had  an  opportunity  of  cultivating,  strayed 
in  upon  us.  His  fine  metaphysical  head,  his  rich 
conversational  powers,  the  freshness  and  piquancy 
of  his  opinions,  the  novelty  of  his  information — ^for 
wars  and  stormy  seas  alike  rendered  the  United 
States  at  that  period  a  far  country  to  us — and 
above  all  his  Christian  principle,  formed  a  whole 


22  INTRODUCTOEY. 

which  attracted  and  charmed  us.  I  have  not  for^ 
gotten  the  tears  which  flowed,  when  this  unlooked- 
for  stranger  poured  out  at  our  evening  worship  con- 
fessions, petitions,  and  gratitudes  exactly  our  own, 
and  how  from  that  hour  the  wide  Atlantic  seemed 
bridged  for  us  by  sympathies  which  the  world  could 
not  interfere  with. 

After  him  came  another  and  another,  each  new 
guest  in  the  course  of  years  introducing  his  friend, 
the  characters  of  all  in  degree  fraught  with  those 
principles  which  prepare  the  mind  for  exalted  inter- 
course, based  on  plans  and  hopes  which  will  live 
when  the  world  and  its  life  are  extinct. 

Our  earliest  specimens  of  men  from  the  other 
hemisphere  were  not  merchants,  but  pastors  ex- 
hausted by  their  labors  in  pursuit  of  health  and 
relaxation,  and  students  in  pursuit  of  knowledge. 
And  noble  specimens  they  were  of  keen  investiga- 
tion, lively  perception  of  novelty,  acute  dissection 
of  truth,  and  bold  assertion  of  Christian  principle, 
as  the  rule  and  guide  of  their  motives.  It  is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  that  such  associates  should  engage 
and  enliven  the  mind,  and  that  after  long  years  of 
distant  contemplation,  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
them  at  home  should  be  embraced  with  willingness. 
Neither  is  it  surprising,  that  such  being  the  char 


INTRODUCTORY.  23 

acter  of  our  first  transatlantic  acquaintances,  their 
successors  should  have  been  like-minded,  or  that 
when  these  welcome  visits  were  at  last  returned, 
they  should  have  opened  for  the  guest  whom  they  so 
generously  cherished,  a  vein  of  ore  precious  and 
rich  in  its  rewards  to  the  feeble  and  unworthy  hand 
that  worked  it. 

Others  have  described  the  festivities,  the  political 
institutions,  the  energetic  mercantile  pursuits  of  the 
Americans.  Perhaps  a  path  yet  scarcely  trodden 
may  furnish  some  points  of  interest,  from  one  who 
numbered  amongst  her  early  and  valued  friends, 
J.  M.  Mason,  D.D.,  and  his  young  friend  Bruen, 
who  acted  as  the  keys  to  open  Society's  gate  for 
her.  One  whose  attention  has  been  directed  as 
much  to  the  Christianity  and  philanthropic  exer- 
tions of  the  people  as  to  their  noble  rivers  and  rich 
plains,  and  as  much  to  the  lively  and  influential 
Christian  sentiments  of  their  women,  as  to  their  do- 
mestic virtues  and  personal  loveliness. 

It  is  to  the  Christian  and  social  habits  of  this  in- 
teresting people  that  access  has  been  chiefly  afford- 
ed, and  with  them  chiefly  that  sympathies  have  been 
exchanged.  Abhorring  the  vulgar  soul  that  uses 
the  hospitalities  of  a  country  to  go  home  and  criti- 
cize domestic  habits,  as  much  as  the  treacherous, 


24:  INTRODUCTORY. 


seeming  reserve,  which  points  its  tale  so  as  to  mark 
infallibly  the  parties  alluded  to,  while  it  affects  to 
withhold  the  names,  my  remarks  and  details  are  sin- 
cere and  affectionate  as  are  my  feelings ;  accompa- 
nied by  that  respectful  reserve  which  becomes  a 
friend,  pledged  as  much  by  grateful  regard  as  by 
sympathy  to  feel  and  act  as  becomes  brotherly  love. 

A  passage  in  the  conclusion  of  Dickens'  "  Ameri- 
can Notes,"  one  of  the  best  in  the  book,  is  quoted 
verbatim  as  the  best  expression  of  my  own  senti- 
ments, only  adding  to  "  cultivation  and  refinement" 
a  more  essential  quality  which  he  has  omitted — I 
mean  Christian  principle, 

"  The  Americans  are  by  nature  frank,  brave,  cor- 
dial, hospitable,  and  affectionate — cultivation  and  re- 
finement seem  but  to  enhance  their  warmth  of  heart 
and  ardent  enthusiasm,  and  it  is  the  possession  of 
these  latter  qualities  in  a  most  remarkable  degree 
which  renders  an  educated  American  one  of  the 
most  endearing  and  most  generous  of  friends.  I 
never  was  so  won  upon  as  by  this  class ;  never  yield- 
ed up  my  full  confidence  and  esteem  so  readily  and 
so  pleasurably  as  to  them  ;  never  can  make  again  in 
half  a  year  so  many  friends,  for  whom  I  seem  to 
entertain  the  regard  of  half  a  life."* 

*  Dickens'  American  Notes,  vol.  i.  p.  288, 


€^t  dbljilhEU. 


Our  ancestors  are  the  root  of  the  tree,  our  aged 
the  trunk,  our  youths  the  branches,  and  our  children 
the  coronal  of  leaves  and  blossoms — and  who  that 
anticipates  the  future  prosperity  of  a  country  can 
fail  to  cast  a  lively  observation  on  the  blossoms,  and 
to  watch  the  spring-time?  Who  that  has  -experi- 
enced the  parental  instincts,  which  are  interwoven 
with  the  very  life  of  the  heart ;  who  that  has  seen  chil- 
dren grow  out  of  infancy  into  manhood,  and  out  of 
ignorance  into  maturing  wisdom,  can  dwell  in  a 
country  and  be  admitted  into  its  domestic  scenes, 
without  casting  an  earnest  eye  over  the  little  ones, 
the  light  of  the  dwelling,  the  source  of  its  freshest 
interest  ? 

English  children  in  the  presence  of  strangers  are 
reserved  and  shy.  They  feel  that  the  nursery  and 
school-room  are  their  proper  spheres  of  action,  and 
that  they  are  only  brought  out  at  times,  as  it  were, 
to  be  showfi  to  particular  friends. 


26  THE    CHILDREN". 


Scotch  children  are  bashful  and  awkward,  and  as 
if  constitution  or  climate  had  not  done  enough  for 
them  in  that  respect,  their  parents  too  often  repress 
them  as  if  they  were  ashamed  of  them,  or  afraid  of 
some  outburst  of  ill-manners,  when  the  poor  things 
are  behaving  their  very  best.  This  partly  arises 
from  the  reserve  of  the  mothers,  who,  with  hearts 
flowing  with  affection,  press  it  down  and  cover  it  up, 
as  if  they  feared  it  might  be  suspected  by  a  stranger. 

Most  unlike  to  these  is  the  sentiment  of  the  Amer- 
ican, both  parent  and  child.  The  little  citizen 
seems  to  feel  at  a  surprisingly  early  age,  that  he  has 
a  part  to  act  on  the  stage  of  the  world,  and  is  will- 
ing enough  to  act  a  little  before  his  time.  And  the 
parents,  full  of  frank,  simple  emotion,  bring  their 
little  treasure  under  notice,  and  ask  you,  with  pride 
and  joy,  '•  Don't  you  think  my  Charley  is  a  brave 
little  fellow  ?"  or,  "  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  quick 
eye  as  my  Austin's  ?"  or,  "  Is  she  not  a  pretty  little 
darling  ?"  or,  "  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  cunning  little 
thing?"  (The  word  cunning^  according  to  some 
old  English  use  of  it,  meaning  in  this  application 
nothing  like  sly,  but  neat,  tidy,  or  expert-looking.) 
If  the  children  are  not  at  home,  you  will  be  shown 
their  pictures,  or  told  their  histories, — or  if  the  ar- 
row of  death  has  stricken  any  of  them,  the  stroke, 


THE   CHILDREN.  27 

the  manner  of  it,  how  it  was  borne,  and  how  the 
bereaved  were  sustained  under  it,  will  be  all  poured 
out  with  a  confiding  certainty  of  your  sympathy  that 
is  most  winning  and  touching.  How  often  have  I 
envied  that  self-command  which  enables  them  to  re- 
late such  events  with  unshaken  voice,  and  to  dwell 
on  deep  sorrows  without  tears.  And  how  often 
have  I  with  shame  contrasted  my  own  long  past  con- 
cealment, nay,  almost  negation  of  powerful  senti- 
ment, with  this  its  beautiful  outflows. 

The  little  ones  seem  to  partake  from  the  first  of 
the  exciting  efiect  of  the  climate.  I  know  not  what 
philosophers  or  medical  men  may  say  to  it,  but  it 
seems  the  only  easy  way  of  accounting  for  the  hasty 
and  impulsive  character  of  the  people,  to  impute  it 
to  the  climate.  All  partake  of  it  alike.  Even  the 
very  horses  have  a  spring  about  them,  which  makes 
them  run  without  driving,  and  gallop  as  soon  as  the 
rider  is  fixed  in  his  stirrups.  Strangers  who  bring 
with  them  the  dulness  of  more  weighty  atmospheres, 
presently  become  enlivened,  and  even  the  drooping 
and  half-clothed  Milesian,  recovers  his  wit  and 
doubles  his  spirit  amid  the  dry  air,  and  under  the 
pure  blue  sky. 

It  is  very  true  that  another  cause  exists.  The 
new  settler,  as  well  as  the  native,  feels  that  there  is 


28  THE  CHILDREN. 

room  enough  and  food  enough  for  all.  So  that,  a 
man  does  not  look  on  his  enlarging  family  with  an 
eye  of  care,  and  cast  about,  as  in  "  the  old  country," 
for  openings  through  which  each  may  make  standing 
room,  and  find  bread.  Each  new  babe  is  a  new 
source  of  delight,  and  should  the  number  surpass 
that  of  a  common  family,  you  cannot  but  smile  in 
pleasant  emotion  with  the  father,  who  will  tell  you 
that  he  has  the  round  dozen,  or  he  can  produce  you 
"  any  quantity"  of  little  ones ;  and  then  they  come,  not 
with  a  "  make  your  bow,"  or  "  courtesy  to  the  lady," 
that  is  not  republican  fashion,  but  with  a  becoming 
courage,  looking  straight  into  your  eyes,  and  extend- 
ing the  right  hand  for  a  cordial  shake.  Frank  to 
answer,  and  ready  to  ask  a  question,  you  soon  find 
you  have  not  got  a  timid  creature  who  needs  your 
encouraging  patronage,  but  a  companion  who  will  do 
you  a  service,  get  you  information,  or  ask  it  from 
you,  as  the  case  may  be. 

The  first  impression  produced  by  their  manner  is, 
that  they  are  brave,  bright,  pleasant,  little  "  impu- 
dent things."  But  this,  like  many  first  impressions, 
turns  out  to  be  erroneous.  The  "  impudent  thing" 
is  gradually  dropt,  and  instead  of  the  bad  word  you 
adopt  "intelligent"  or  "independent."  I  have 
smiled  to  see  a  little  fellow,  who  had  certainly  not 


THE   CHILDREN.  29 


been  quite  seven  years  a  traveller  in  this  world,  lead 
the  way  in  stepping  into  an  omnibus,  and  walk  up 
to  a  convenient  position  for  reading  the  regulations. 
Then  placing  his  hands  behind  him — I  dare  say  in 
the  very  attitude  of  papa  if  one  saw  him — read, 
turning  to  the  two  younger  brothers  who  seem  to 
listen  with  understanding,  "  Constructed  to  carry 
twelve  inside.  Children  who  take  seats  pay  half 
price ;"  upon  which  information,  the  small  ones 
scramble  on  the  laps  of  the  ladies  who  accompany 
them,  and  the  leading  youth  adjusts  himself  to  stand 
at  a  window,  without  visible  direction  from  the 
ladies.  I  have  also  seen  a  child,  a  year  older  at 
most,  according  to  the  rule  of  politeness  and  consid- 
eration for  females  which  pervades  all  ranks  in  such 
of  the  States  as  L  have  visited,  calculate  how  many 
sixpences  he  wanted  from  his  ladies,  and  how  many 
cents  for  himself,  collect  them,  reach  up  with  some 
help  to  pull  the  driver's  string,  and  then  on  tiptoe 
give  the  money  to  the  driver  through  the  little  hole 
in  the  roof  With  us,  such  children  would-  have 
been  guided  and  paid  for.  There  is  no  air  of  as- 
sumption in  the  doing  of  such  small  services.  It 
seems  natural,  and  expected  by  the  seniors.  A 
bright  little  fellow,  it  may  be  about  nine  years  old, 
was  asked  in  my  hearing  if  he  had  been  to  Mr. 


80  THE   CHILDREN. 


this  morning.  He  said,  "  No,  he  thought  it  better 
not  to  go  until  his  return  from  school."  I  was  a 
good  deal  surprised  to  learn  that  this  visit,  so  easily 
and  pleasantly  planned,  was  to  a  dentist,  for  the 
purpose  of  having  a  tooth  extracted ;  having  seen  a 
good  deal  of  fuss,  and  much  unnecessary  fear  excited 
on  such  occasions  among  children  of  that  age  at 
home. 

But  much  earlier  than  this,  even  in  early  infancy, 
does  this  precocity  show  itself  At  six  weeks  old,  a 
babe  will  cock  up  his  small  capless  and  nearly  hair- 
less head,  and  observe  the  new-comer  into  the  nur- 
sery, and  smile  if  pleased,  or  scream  if  the  "  coun- 
tenance likes  him  not."  And  you  will  see  a  little 
being  that  has  not  seen  the  sun  make  one  circle  of 
seasons,  lay  hold  on  a  toy,  not  to  cram  it  in  his 
mouth  and  look  stupidly  at  it,  but  to  turn  it  curiously 
over,  open  it  if  he  can,  and  peep  in  with  a  look  as 
wise  as  that  of  a  raven  peeping  into  a  marrow-bone. 
One  mark  of  early  observation  and  comprehension 
never  failed  to  excite  my  wonder.  Little  creatures 
feed  themselves  very  neatly,  and  are  trusted  with 
cups  of  glass  and  china,  which  they  grasp  firmly, 
carry  about  the  rooms  carefully,  and  deposit  un- 
broken, at  an  age  when  in  our  country  Mamma  or 
Nurse  would  be  rushing  after  them  to  save  the  ves- 


THE  CHILDREN.  31 

sels  from  destruction.  My  surprise  has  also  been 
excited  by  the  lengths  they  are  permitted  to  go  in 
mischief,  without  punishment,  or  scarcely  admonition. 
I  heard  a  grandmamma  relate  with  complacency, 
how  her  boy  had  locked  himself  in  the  drawing-room 
and  deliberately  thrown  a  large  set  of  china,  piece 
by  piece,  over  the  window.  His  "  reason"  was,  be- 
cause he  liked  to  hear  the  "  crash}''  as  it  fell.  I  in- 
quired what  she  said  to  him.  The  indulgent  parent 
had  explained  to  the  small  man  that  "  she  did  not 
choose  to  have  her  pretty  china  broken,  as  that  ren- 
dered it  useless."  A  very  reasonable  advice  to  an 
unreasonable  performer.  It  reminded  me  of  an  in- 
cident in  the  early  days  of  Charles  James  Fox, 
whose  father  had  given  him  a  gold  repeater.  The 
boy  said  he  must  throw  the  watch  against  the  wall. 
"  Why  must  you  ?"  inquired  Lord  Holland.  "  0 
just  that  I  may  see  what  will  happen."  "  Why  it 
will  break  !"  "  Well,  Papa,  I  just  want  to  see  how 
it  goes  when  it  breaks."  "  Well,  Charles,  if  you 
must  you  "tnust^  I  suppose."  The  watch  was  thrown, 
and,  as  was  expected,  flew  into  many  pieces.  Whether 
destructiveness  was  very  large  in  the  boys  or  cor- 
rectiveness  very  small  in  the  parents,  we  leave  each 
one  to  settle  according  to  their  fancy. 

The  more  rapid  are  the  children  in  the  early  un- 


32  THE   CHTLDKEN. 

foldings  of  the  powers  both  of  mind  and  body,  the 
more  do  they  require  wise  guidance  and  wholesome 
restraint.  And  here  arises  the  parental  difficulty. 
It  seems  to  require  as  much  self-denial  in  the  father 
to  refuse  his  boy  anything  as  it  can  require  in  the  boy 
to  be  refused.  And  thus,  as  each  obtains  a  seat  at 
the  family  table  at  meals  as  early  as  they  can  be 
trusted  in  an  elevated  chair,  they  are  used  to  ask 
for  and  to  receive  all  manner  of  varieties  of  food. 
Breakfasts,  like  all  other  meals  in  a  country  richly 
prolific  in  luxuries,  are  made  of  many  dishes  and 
many  kinds  of  cakes,  and  it  is  common  to  feed  the 
little  ones  on  fish,  flesh,  and  game ;  fruits,  salads, 
and  hominy ;  Johnny-cakes,  corn  cakes,  buckwheat 
cakes  all  hot,  with  molasses  ;  toast  swimming  in 
butter,  and  mayhap  a  little  plain  bread  and  milk ; 
tea  or  cofi'ee,  if  it  is  acceptable.  It  may  be  but  a  taste 
of  many  of  these  things,  but  thus  is  the  foundation 
laid,  I  doubt  not,  of  many  a  poor  dyspeptic's  pining 
life.  How  often  have  I  run  over  in  my  mind  the 
many  brave  and  wise  men  of  my  own  country,  who 
grew  to  health  and  strength  on  simple  fare,  and  re- 
membered Sir  Walter  Scott's  list  of  "  lads"  who, 
like  himself  had  breakfasted  till  they  were  fifteen  on 
porridge  and  milk. 

The  same  danger  meets  them  at  all  meals,  and 


THE   CniLDREN.  33 

especially  when  they  are  allowed,  to  sit  up,  as  they 
commonly  are,  to  see  the  guests  at  evening  parties, 
and  share  oysters,  jellies,  and  ices,  fruits  and  pre- 
serves, not  in  the  moderate  way  that  contents  grown- 
up persons,  but  with  all  the  heartiness  and  excess  of 
"  frugivorous  children." 

In  spite  of  melting  summer  suns  and  the  keen 
pursuit  of  objects,  to  which  it  is  common  to  impute 
the  exceeding  lack  of  flesh  which  renders  many  a 
fine  profile  no  better  than  the  edge  of  a  knife  when 
the  face  is  turned  to  you,  might  it  not  be  that  a 
more  abstemious  and  simple  diet  in  early  years, 
might  be  the  means  of  adding  to  both  the  strength 
and  beauty  of  the  full-grown  man  ? 

Children's  diseases  are  hasty  and  come  with  a 
fell  swoop,  desolating  cities  and  hearts — Oh,  how 
desolating !  Who  can  compute  the  pungency  of 
the  parents'  grief  when  the  nursery  is  the  scene  of 
such  visitations.  Many  a  young  heart,  that  in  its 
first  love  and  early  marriage  and  early  maternity, 
scarcely  knew  any  throbs  but  that  of  joy,  by  a  visit 
of  death  to  her  nursery  has  suddenly  been  taught 
the  solemn  truth,  that  the  world  is  a  blighted  place, 
and  that  the  passage  is  through  a  wilderness — and 
also  the  deeper  lesson,  that  there  is  a  world  of 
spirits,  a  treasure-house  for  those  who  are  gone 
3 


34  THE   CHILDREN. 


Our  departed  friend,  Hewitson,  beautifully  wrote 
on  that  subject :  "  God  has  taken  from  you,  as  it 
were,  a  pledge  that  you  will  live  for  eternity.  The 
bereaved  soul  goes  across  the  border  of  time  in 
quest  of  the  departed  spirit,  and  so  acquaints  itself 
better  with  eternity  and  its  unseen  realities.  How 
real  is  the  distant  isle  to  which  a  friend  has  gone, 
though  formerly  it  seemed  but  a  dim  fog  on  the 
sea  !  How  real  is  eternity,  when  one  that  we  have 
loved,  and  love  stilly  is  there  !  '  One  that  I  love  is 
there,'  that  gives  our  hearts  a  local  habitation  in 
eternity.  This  event  tells  us  that  we  are  nearer 
our  journey's  end  now  than  we  were  yesterday. 
The  Jordan  is  not  far  oflF — a  few  breathings  of  the 
air  of  the  wilderness,  a  few  steps  across  the  dreary 
sands,  and  then  we  reach  home."* 

It  is  very  touching  to  listen  to  many  parents, 
who  will  tell  you  it  never  entered  their  apprehen- 
sion that  their  first  dear  child  was  mortal,  till  on 
being  weaned  it  fell  sick ;  or,  convulsions  in  teeth- 
ing, or  that  wide-wasting  destroyer,  "  summer-com- 
plaint," swept  it  away. 

This  loss  of  children  seems  to  me  the  rod  under 
which  the  Good  Shepherd  gathers  many  a  sheep 
into  his  fold.  It  is  precious  to  hear  them  tell  how 
*  Hewitson's  Memoir,  p.  238.   New  York :  Carter  &  Brothers, 


THE   CHILDREN.  35 

they  first  turned  to  Christ,  when  they  followed 
their  departed  lambs  to  his  bosom.  Sweetly  and 
confidingly  do  they  entrust  you  with  their  soul's 
secret,  and  amid  the  riches  of  their  new-found 
hopes,  mingle  their  sweet  smiles  and  tears  with 
your  sympathies — and  precious  it  is  to  hear  of 
little  disciples,  taught  early  by  the  Great  Teacher, 
who  never  made  a  soul  too  young  to  receive  His 
influences,  speaking  words  of  resignation,  of  love 
and  peace  to  the  weeping  parents  whom  they  are 
about  to  leave,  and  of  hope  and  joy  of  the  welcom- 
ing Lord  whose  presence  they  are  about  to  enter. 
On  listening  to  narratives  of  such  early  Christians, 
I  have  felt  it  difl&cult  to  abstain  from  congratulat- 
ing the  mourners  with  a  '•  blessed  are  the  dead  who 
are  already  dead,  more  than  the  living  who  are  yet 
alive." 

There  never  was  better  material  of  which  to 
make  good  and  wise  citizens,  than  these  children,  so 
quick  to  understand,  so  keen  to  feel,  so  prompt  to 
act.  But  the  very  metal  in  them  renders  the  use 
of  breaking  bridles  in  childhood,  and  a  tight  rein 
in  youth,  of  great  importance.  They  receive  educa- 
tion with  facility  and  smartness,  but  those  who  are 
destined  for  commerce  are  so  generally  mounted  on 
a  tall   desk  seat  as  early  as  their  fourteenth  or 


S6  THE   CHILDREN. 


fifteenth  year,  that  they  much  require  exact  and 
strict  moral  discipline  before.  Obedience,  that 
grave  self-denying  quality,  is  never  so  easily  nor  so 
fitly  learnt  as  in  childhood — self-will  never  gains 
strength  more  rapidly  than  in  the  nursery.  If  the 
child  does  not  learn  submission  to  his  natural  guar- 
dians with  the  first  shooting  up  of  his  own  will  and 
desires,  how  shall  he  later  in  life,  learn  obedience 
to  the  divine  will  ? 

One  perceives  a  perplexity  in  the  parent's  mind 
sometimes,  between  a  consciousness  that  he  ought 
to  rule  his  son,  and  a  notion  that  the  little  rebel's 
escapades  are  the  natural  result  of  "  Liberty." 
Liberty !  that  sacred  name  under  which  many  a 
crime  has  been  perpetrated,  and  many  a  dangerous 
and  ruinous  mistake  committed.  There  is  no  fear 
of  the  child  born  under  free  institutions  and  des- 
tined to  exercise  a  freeman's  privilege,  becoming 
too  tame  by  means  of  just  parental  discipline — and 
it  is  certain  that  he  will  render  the  more  healthful 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  and  more 
reverential  observance  of  the  laws  of  God  by  his 
being  accustomed  to  observe  the  laws  of  his  earliest 
protectors  and  loving  friends.  To  see  sensible  peo- 
ple smile  with  secret  admiration  of  the  "  spirited" 
exhibition  of  rebellious  will  on  the  part  of  their 


THE   CHILDREN.  37 

offspring,  excites,  in  an  English  mind,  a  sense  of 
lurking  danger — as  also  to  hear  pupils  asserting 
boldly  what  they  "  will  never  learn,"  and  what  they 
"  will  learn,"  and  to  see  teachers  using  all  manner 
of  adroit  flatteries  and  timid  expostulations,  with 
a  view  to  obtain  a  slender  influence  over  the  pupils, 
leads  one  to  look  out  anxiously  for  ultimate  results. 

Natural  quickness  enables  persons  to  discern 
methods  of  "getting  along,"  and  to  pass  well  in 
social  life,  who  have  lacked  thorough  training. 
Many  a  man  finds  himself  in  a  position  which  forces 
him  to  guide  or  influence  others,  who  has  not  ac- 
quired the  difficult  art  of  governing  himself,  and 
many  a  girl  is  placed  in  the  centre  of  maternal 
cares,  with  all  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of 
rearing  a  family,  who  feels  herself  at  a  loss  on 
many  points,  because  of  her  own  undisciplined 
childhood  ;  or  what  is  worse,  feels  herself  at  no  loss, 
but  thinks  she  knows  all  about  it. 

It  happens  frequently,  also,  that  persons  attain 
wealth,  who  have  not  themselves  been  well  educated, 
and  they,  in  the  United  States  as  in  England,  mis- 
take the  important  objects  of  instruction,  and  omit 
them  in  favor  of  the  showy  or  amusing.  In  this 
way  only  can  I  account  for  the  listlessness  or  even 
the   impatience   that   I   have   seen   manifested    in 


38  THE   CHILDREN. 

school-examinations,  when  the  subject  is  a  solid 
branch  of  education.  Thus  at  an  exhibition  of  the 
attainments  of  the  children  who  were  brought  in 
from  the  "  Orphan  Asylum,"  to  the  Apollo  Rooms 
in  New  York  for  examination,  a  well-dressed  and 
animated  audience,  began  to  thin  away  in  an 
alarming  manner,  under  an  examination  on  geog- 
raphy and  arithmetic,  so  that  the  sagacious  directors 
"  stopt  that,"  and  immediately  seats  were  cheerfully 
resumed  to  listen  to  choruses,  solos,  and  amusing 
dialogues — and,  though  printed  in  the  programme, 
grammar,  and  parsing,  and  lessons  in  geometry 
were  not  ventured  upon,  but .  gave  place  to  "  Dirty 
Jane,"  "the  Handy  Lad,"  and  the  "Grand  Ban- 
quet." When  I  remarked  this  to  more  than  one 
sensible  and  well-educated  matron,  I  was  told  that, 
not  only  at  an  examination  of  strangers,  and 
orphans,  but  of  their  own  children,  the  parents  often 
exhibit  weariness  when  the  subjects  of  investigation 
are  solid.  It  is  pleasing  to  see  severer  studies  di- 
versified by  moral  songs,  hymns,  and  music,  and  a 
touch  of  elocution  miiy  be  very  wisely  bestowed  on 
the  embryo  stump-orator,  or  future  senator,  but  that 
these  should  be  the  all  of  education  which  excites 
an  interest,  is  an  unsound  and  unsafe  state  of  things. 
I  am  not  a  judge  of  how  much  may  be  enjoyed  by 


THE   CHILDREN.  89 

Americans  in  such  matters,  being  myself  used  to 
the  ways  of  a  slower  and  more  enduring  people,  who 
can  sit  out  long  sermons,  long  lectures,  and  long 
school  examinations — but  I  feel  assured  that  it  is 
not  the  well-informed  part  of  the  audience  who  be- 
come weary  of  the  substantial  and  useful  portions 
of  instruction  ;  and  it  might  be  wise  in  the  less-in- 
structed parents  to  remain  and  see  if  they  can  learn 
something  of  what  their  children  are  acquiring.  In 
no  country  shall  we  find  more  lovely  examples  of 
cheerful  domestic  union,  or  more  honorable  and  self- 
denying  exertion  on  the  part  of  parents,  in  sharing 
and  lightening  the  studies  of  their  children — any 
one  might  feel  with  me  enriched  for  life  by  having 
been  admitted  to  such  family  circles,  and  formed 
friendships  with  such  parents ;  but  in  the  ever- 
changing  mass  of  people  in  the  maritime  and  com- 
mercial cities  such  steadfast  and  enlightened  char- 
acters are  far  from  being  the  majority.  Yet  how 
rich  are  the  rewards  of  those  who  lay  themselves 
out  to  indoctrinate  the  young  immortal,  and  to 
strengthen  while  they  prune  -the  budding  energies 
of  the  future  citizen. 

Though  it  is  years  since  in  my  remote  Scottish 
home,  my  eyes  often  overflowed  as  I  read  the 
speeches  of  John  Quincey  Adams,  and  pictured  the 


40  THE    CHILDREN. 


venerable  hoary-headed  friend  of  his  country  day 
after  day  standing  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  breast- 
ing alone  the  opposition  of  the  many,  and  asserting 
alone  the  right  of  petition,  yet  it  was  not  till  I  re- 
cently read  his  mother's  letters  to  him,  that  I  com- 
prehended whence  he  derived  his  solitary  courage, 
or  how  he  was  so  deeply  imbued  with  the  principle 
which  sustained  him  still  in  old  age.  Was  not 
Mrs.  Adams  as  truly  serving  her  country,  in  rearing 
such  a  son,  as  was  her  husband  in  his  long  years  of 
separation  from  his  family,  amid  vexatious  and  ever- 
varying  negotiations?  The  generous  enthusiasm, 
the  reasonable  and  life-giving  patriotism  which 
glowed  in  her  bosom,  was  transferred  into  that  of 
her  children,  and  was  expended  in  cheering  and 
strengthening  her  husband  under  a  separation, 
which,  to  her  devoted  heart,  was  but  one  long  pang 
of  suffering. — It  is  most  interesting  and  amusing  to 
see  her  complain  that  the  paper  she  writes  on  cost 
a  dollar  a  sheet,  and  beg  for  an  importation  of  pins, 
as  there  is  not  one  left  in  the  town,  and  of  needles, 
for  the  tailor  has  the  cloth  still,  but  no  tools  to 
make  it  with,  in  the  same  letter  in  which  she  wisely 
comments  on  the  history  of  her  new-bom  country, 
cheers  on  the  patriot  to  greater  endurance  and  firm- 
ness, and  selects  parallel  cases,  on  pattern  characters 


THE   CHILDREN.  41 

from  Grreece  or  Rome.  Bravely  did  she  live  through 
many  painful  trials  and  dangers,  and  was  after  all, 
in  spite  of  much  privation,  as  happy  in  her  stren- 
uous exertions  for  the  good  of  her  large  family,  and 
her  wide  circle,  as  she  could  ever  have  been  after, 
even  when  she  saw  first  her  husband  and  then  her 
son  elevated  to  the  Presidential  chair. — She  was  a 
Mother  /—suited  to  the  trying  times  on  which  her 
Tot  fell,  and  nobly  fulfilling  her  part  to  her  children 
and  her  country.  Such  a  mother  as  Napoleon  said 
France  needed,  but  such  as  France  has  not  yet  found. 
But  America  had  still  a  higher  style  of  parental 
discipline  in  the  parents  of  her  Washington,  which 
she  most  justly  appreciates.  Every  school-room 
has  rung  with  the  story  of  that  father  who  embraced 
his  erring  boy,  because  he  spoke  truth  even  though 
he  accused  himself;  and  every  parish  library  can 
produce  the  narrative  of  the  patriot's  early  training. 
— When,  as  its  fruit,  we  find  the  self-denying  hero 
and  brave  warrior  retiring  to  the  forest  to  seek  a 
place  of  prayer,  which  the  throngings  of  a  restless 
camp  denied  him ;  when  we  see  him  refusing  the 
perpetual  honors  and  government  which  his  grateful 
country  pressed  upon  him,  we  gladly  trace  back  all 
these  heroic  virtues  to  parental  training,  and  to  the 
early  reception  of  those  Christian  principles  which 


42  THE   CHILDREN. 

made  him  what  he  was,  and  enabled  him  so  well  to 
accomplish  the  work  for  which  God  raised  him  up 
— and  do  we  not  sympathize  with  the  quiet  confi- 
dence of  his  wife,  when  asked  if  during  his  long 
absences  in  such  stirring  times  she  were  not 
wretched  with  anxiety,  she  replied,  "  I  know  that 
wherever  George  Washington  is  he  is  doing  his 
duty,  and  thus  I  am  calm."  Happy  and  honored 
wife,  successor  of  happy  and  "honored  parents.  "Who 
would  not  exert  themselves,  to  produce  such  fruits 
as  these  ? 

To  rule  a  household  well,  and  to  rear  children 
with  the  view  of  the  early  home  being  the  nursery 
ground  from  which  plants  will  be  removed  first  to 
flourish  as  trees  in  the  church  on  earth,  and  again 
to  grow  forever  by  the  river  of  crystal,  and  under 
the  glorious  tree  with  its  twelve  manner  of  fruits, 
whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations — 
these  are  objects  worthy  of  the  noblest  ambition, 
and  the  most  indefatigable  pains. 

Prayerful  teaching  accompanied  by  the  earnest 
eloquence  of  a  full  heart,  and  the  original  illustra- 
tions of  a  yearning  spirit,  never  passes  unrequited 
on  this  side  the  Atlantic  or  on  that — in  the  wilder- 
ness on  this  side  the  Jordan,  or  on  the  glorious 
shores  of  the  Promised  Land. 


€^t  €mmn  ItjinnlB  nut  Jfxn  5lrahmt[. 

From  observing  the  smiling  crowd,  which  is  to 
form  the  men  and  women  of  the  succeeding  genera- 
tion, we  turn  naturally  to  the  means  of  Education. 
In  this  department  it  is  very  pleasant  to  adopt  the 
language — at  which  one  is  apt  to  smile  when  you 
hear  its  mistaken  application  on  some  other  sub- 
jects.— and  to  say  gladly,  that  "  no  country  in  the 
world"  has  a  more  just  appreciation  of  the  impor- 
tance of  universal  instruction  than  the  United 
States — and  also  that  the  Eastern  States,  have 
been  surpassed  by  "  no  Country  in  the  world,"  in 
the  extent  and  energy  of  their  educational  schemes. 

The  knowledge  which  is  reckoned  necessary  to 
every  man,  no  matter  what  his  business  or  position, 
and  which  forms  the  subject  of  instruction  in  the 
common  schools,  is  to  "  spell  accurately,  read  well, 
write  legibly,  understand  the  principles  of  grammar, 
have  a  fair  knowledge  of  geography,  arithmetic,  and 
the  history  of  the  United   States."      One  of  the 


44  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS 

annual  reports  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  the 
city  and  county  of  New  York,  gives  its  judgment 
on  the  subject  thus — "  The  education  of  no  citizen 
should  fall  below  this  standard,  whether  his  inter- 
ests and  happiness  as  a  man,  or  his  influence  as  the 
head  of  a  family,  or  a  member  of  society  be  alone 
regarded,"  and  at  this  object  the  Common  Schools 
aim.     It  may  be  needful  to  state  that  the  word 
"  common,"  in  the  designation  of  the  schools,  does 
not   mean    schools   for    the   common  people,   but 
schools,  common  to  and  suited  for  all.     The  basis 
of  education  is  satisfactory  so  far  as  it  goes  ;  but 
while  for  the  multitude  this  is  as  much  as  their 
destined  occupations  permit  them  to  reach,  for  those 
whose  prospects,  ability,  and   leisure   may  induce 
them  to  desire  to  go  further,  more  is  wanting — and 
in  consequence   the   Free  Academy   has   recently 
sprung  up  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which  receives 
youth   who   have    attained    all   that    the   common 
school  offers,  and  who  wish  to  advance  to  classical, 
mathematical,  and   scientific    studies.      This    Free 
Academy  is  founded  by  the  city,  and  like  the  com-* 
mon  schools,  sustained  by  a  self-imposed  tax.     The 
Board  of  Education  took  up  the  initiative  in  this 
matter — a  committee  was  appointed  to  report,  and 
ultimately  a  memorial  was  laid  before  the  legisla- 


AND   FREE   ACADEMY.  45 

• 
ture.  By  it  an  act  was  passed  under  which  the 
institution  was  established,  but  with  the  provision 
that  the  question  be  submitted  to  the  people  at  the 
ensuing  school  and  judicial  election.  The  result  of 
this  election  is  interesting  as  showing  to  which  side 
the  balance  for  ignorance  or  for  instruction  turns. 
There  were  votes  for  establishing  the  Free  Acad- 
emy 19,404,  against  it  3,409,  giving  the  enormous 
and  honorable  majority  in  favor  of  instruction  of 
15,995 — and  thus  the  scheme  went  on,  and  the 
beautiful  new  edifice  was  opened  in  the  beginning 
of  1849,  with  the  following  staff  of  professors  : — 

Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy. 

History  and  Belles  Lettres. 

Latin  and  Greek  Languages  and  Literature. 

Chemistry. 

French  Language. 

Spanish. 

German  Language  and  Literature. 

Drawing. 

No  government  is  so  much  in  need  of  universal 
enlightenment,  or  so  much  in  danger  from  popular 
ignorance  as  the  republican.  Each  member  of  it 
ought  by  having  a  certain  store  of  knowledge  laid 
up  in  his  own  mind  to  be  sheltered  from  the  over- 
powering influences  of  eloquence,  the  hasty  and  un- 


46  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS 

weighed  opinions  of  talking  demagogues,  and  the 
misleading  sympathies  of  popular  cries.  He  re- 
quires to  discern  the  liberal  from  the  selfish,  the 
just  from  the  unjust.  Not  only  his  own  but  the 
general  welfare  is  concerned  in  his  being  able  to 
take  a  part  in  carrying  on  its  government ;  he  may 
be  required  to  enact  laws,  or  to  aid  in  their  execu- 
tion when  enacted.  If  he  understands  his  own 
rights  as  a  citizen,  and  those  of  his  neighbors,  and 
takes  any  part  that  may  fall  to  him  in  carrying  on 
the  government,  he  will  gain  a  useful  ascendency, 
and  may  by  means  of  superior  cultivation  become 
a*  help,  an  honor,  and  a  blessing  to  his  country. 
Therefore  it  is  pleasant  to  consider  that  the  largest 
proportion  of  those  who  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the 
Free  Academy  are  sprung  from  parents  who  could 
not  well  afford  to  give  them  such  an  education — 
and  that  the  only  barrier  against  their  admission,  is 
deficient  attainment  in  those  lessons  which  they 
ought  to  have  previousfy  acquired  in  the  Common 
School. 

It  is  curious  to  remark  the  grounds  of  dissent 
from  the  plan  of  the  Free  Academy  propounded 
by  Horace  Greeley — a  kind  of  republican  run  mad, 
who  objects  to  learning  the  dead  languages,  be- 
cause science  and  art  are  of  far  greater  practical  im 


AND   FREE  ACADEMY.  47 

portance,  and  refuses  to  afford  to  a  part  of  the  youth 
a  more  costly  education,  because  it  cannot  be  pro- 
vided for  and  freely  proffered  to  all. 

If  the  Free  Academy  were  to  abridge  the  powers 
and  extent  of  the  Common  School,  the  objection 
might  be  valid,  but  as  it  only  offers  the  deeper  cup 
of  instruction  to  the  lip  which  has  already  drained 
the  shallower,  and  as  it  only  passes  it  from  those 
who,  from  position  or  slow  attainment,  have  not 
leisure  or  relish  for  it,  one  apprehends  that  the  ob- 
jection is  unsound,  or  mayhap  insincere,  and  got  up 
to  serve  some  political  turn. 

A  republic  possesses  a  sacred  trust  in  the  talents 
of  its  citizens,  and  ought  to  cultivate  them  for  the 
public  good — and  the  more  that  the  average  of  tal- 
ent is  low,  ought  those  who  rise  above  the  average 
to  be  cared  for.  As  you  would  select  the  strongest  to 
bear  the  standard,  and  the  bravest  to  man  the  breach, 
so  should  you  cherish  him  of  powerful  intellect  to 
deal  with  the  laws  and  executive  of  his  country. 
Self-educated  and  self-raised  persons  are  apt  to  de- 
spise the  ladder  to  learning,  from  a  notion  that  if 
mind  is  worth  anything  it  will  find  its  level.  But 
what  an  advantage  to  remove  early  difficulties  and 
suggest  pursuits  that  may  be  selected  according  to 
taste.     These  self-raised  know  not  how  much  higher 


48  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS 

tliey  might  have  risen,  or  how  much  better  they 
might  have  acquitted  themselves  had  they  been  early 
placed  amid  the  facilities  which  education  furnishes. 
New  York  may  bravely  lift  up  her  head  and  say 
she  has  not  left  the  "step-children  of  nature  and 
fortune,  the  outcast,  the  benighted,  the  brutalized, 
and  the  homeless,"  to  flee  to  a  rock  for  shelter.  She 
has  generously  opened  her  arms,  and  is  opening 
them  wider  and  wider  still.  She  has  instructed 
thousands,  and  will  instruct  thousands  more.  Be- 
sides the  very  extensive  benevolent  institutions  sus- 
tained by  voluntary  subscription,  the  report  for  1850 
shows  at  least  nearly  1 1 ,000  dollars  contributed  by 
the  City  to  aid  in  sustaining  orphan  houses,  blind 
asylums,  and  places  of  reform  for  juvenile  delin- 
quents. How  poor  and  dangerous  a  plea  is  it  for 
depriving  the  few  of  the  refining  and  expanding  in- 
fluences of  good  scholarship  that  the  same  boon 
cannot  be  conferred  on  the  masses — and  how  much 
need  has  a  republic  of  leading  minds,  well  imbued 
with  principles  of  justice,  and  enriched  with  the 
histories  of  other  ages  and  other  nations,  and  with 
their  experience,  under  a  just  and  wise  Providence, 
of  past  failures  and  successes  !  It  is  easy  to  raise 
a  popular  cry  which  may  frustrate  the  wisest  pur- 
poses.    Such  a  cry  about  liberty  of  conscience  has 


AND  FREE  ACADEMY.  49 

hooted  all  catechisms  and  creeds  out  of  the  present 
scheme  of  instruction — and  in  virtue  of  the  City 
having  at  present  an  inheritance  of  children,  whose 
parents  as  Romanists  dare  not,  or  as  infidels  will 
not  read  the  Scriptures,  the  Holy  Book  and  all 
teaching  founded  on  it  are  sparingly  used  in  the 
common  schools.  How  this  comports  with  the  order 
of  a  country  calling  itself  Christian,  and  essentially 
Christian  in  most  of  its  institutions,  it  is  not  easy 
to  see,  while  it  is  very  easy  to  see  that  a  cry  raised 
about  encroachment  on  liberty  of  conscience  was 
sure  to  tell  on  a  people  so  jealous  for  liberty  as  are 
the  Americans. 

It  is  melancholy  to  observe  bright  children,  capa- 
ble of  all  manner  of  impressions,  well  versed  in  the 
brief  history  of  their  own  country,  but  utterly  igno- 
rant, so  far  as  the  school-teaching  goes,  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  world  they  live  in,  its  creation,  the 
path  by  which  they  may  pass  safely  through  it,  and, 
above  all,  of  how  they  may  go  well  out  of  it. 

It  will  be  said  that  this  statement  is  not  fact,  and 
that  a  portion  of  Scripture  is  read  each  morning, 
and  the  Lord's  prayer  said,  or  sometimes  chaunted, 
at  the  opening  of  the  school.  This  is  optional,  and, 
judging  by  delicate  admonitions  in  the  reports^  it 
would   appear   is   omitted  by  some   teachers.     If 


60  THE  COMMON  SCHOOLS 

reading  the  Scriptures  were  steadily  observed,  it 
could  not  be  said  that  some  classes  after  learning  to 
read  pass  on  to  other  things,  and  never  read  any 
more,  or  at  least  read  a  little  history  so  seldom  that 
the  inspectors  complain  of  reading  not  being  culti- 
vated as  an  art,  and  say  there  is  no  reason  why  the 
pupils  should  not  read  as  well  as  Miss  Fanny  Kem- 
ble,  to  listen  to  whose  "  readings  of  Shakspeare"  the 
taste  and  cultivation  of  the  city  were  thronging. 

It  is  an  excellent  rule  to  begin  the  day  by  the 
habitual  reading  of  the  word  of  Grod.  Let  it  be 
without  note  or  comment,  if  that  be  necessary  to 
security  against  the  teacher's  peculiar  dogmas,  but 
still  let  it  be — solemnly  and  soberly.  How  many 
whose  hours  are  hereafter  to  be  spent  in  earning  a 
livelihood  may  thus  stow  up  sacred  sentiments  to 
fall  back  upon  when  the  time  of  reflection  or  of  re- 
trospection comes.  And  if  there  is  to  be  no  more 
extended  petition  than  what  is  found  in  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  at  least  let  that  be  said^  not  sung^  with  de- 
liberation and  reverence,  each  in  the  attitude  of 
prayer. 

Were  the  vote  reconsidered,  apart  from  any  false 
excitement  about  encroachment  on  liberty  of  con- 
science, one  cannot  but  hope,  that  even  in  New  York 
— where  numerous  recently-arrived  Irish  emigrants 


AND   FREE   ACADEMY.  51 

have,  by  some  evasion  of  the  laws,  been  permitted 
to  exercise  the  power  of  voting — they  would  lay  it 
down  as  a  rule,  that  the  Scripture  History  be  read 
and  questioned  upon,  at  least,  as  diligently  as  that 
of  the  United  States.  It  seems  to  me  grievous  to 
see  the  real  Christian  influences  which  would  be 
shed  from  many  of  the  teachers,  neutralized  by  this 
vain  cry  of  liberty  of  conscience.  Children  do  not 
learn  arithmetic  and  geography  withiout  teaching — 
but  they  are  supposed  to  know  Christianity  by  in- 
tuition, and  to  exercise  conscience  before  it  is  en- 
lightened. Liberty  of  conscience !  Poor  dear  ig- 
norant offspring  of  fallen  Adam  !  Let  it  be  called 
liberty  of  sin,  liberty  of  forgetting  God,  liberty  of 
neglecting  the  Saviour,  liberty  of  slaying  their  own 
souls, — ^but  let  not  the  citizens  be  deluded  by  sup- 
posing that  training  which  omits  instruction  in  ref- 
erence to  Grod  and  his  thoughts  towards  themselves 
'  is  honest  genuine  liberty. 

Protestants  have  thus  heedlessly  in  keeping  with 
the  constitution  of  their  government  as  they  reckon 
it,  slighted  the  means  of  conveying  early  knowledge 
of  the  Bible,  and  are  not  awake  to  the  proceedings 
of  the  enemy,  who,  with  unsleeping  eye,  discerns 
where  and  how  he  may  insinuate  his  baleful  influ- 
ences.     Amid   many  pleasant  moral  songs  which 


52  THE   COMMON   SCHOOLS 

form  the  peculiar  attraction  of  a  school  examina- 
tion, you  may  not  hear  one  Protestant  hymn.  No 
strain  of  adoration  or  of  love  is  put  into  those 
young  hearts.  But  watch,  and  when  you  inquire 
what  are  the  words  of  that  noble  and  striking  air  ? 
you  will  discover  that  it  is  the  chaunt  of  a  Popish 
pilgrimage.  What  those  sweet  cadences  of  thanks- 
giving ?  they  are  praise  for  the  pleasant  rest  to  be 
obtained  before  the  little  shrines  which  stud  the 
deep  and  meritoriously  stony  ascent,  crowned  by  the 
image  to  whose  sacred  fane  the  pilgrims  are  climb- 
ing on  their  knees.  Think  we  such  strains  are 
adopted  by  accident  ?  They  are  certainly  by  care- 
lessness in  some  quarter,  but  it  must  be  of  purpose 
and  by  Popish  influence  in  some  other.  In  England 
we  are  sufficiently  accustomed  to  such  wiles,  and  we 
have  seen  music  made  the  plea  for  the  introduction 
of  many  an  "  ora  pro  nobis"  to  the  Virgin,  which 
the  unthinking  have  accepted  because  of  its  beauty. 
Another  mode  of  insinuating  mischief  is  the 
prize  books,  which  are  distributed  on  a  day  of  ex- 
amination. Many  are  good  and  useful,  many  are 
pleasant,  but,  if  one  may  venture  to  say  so,  too 
juvenile  and  silly,  and  some  are  unwholesome  and 
dangerous.  In  selecting  a  set  of  books,  when  an 
eye  must  be  turned  to  the  cost,  and  to  the  attrac- 


AND   FREE  ACADEMY.  63 

tive  aspect  of  the  prize,  it  is  not  difl&cult  for  the 
designing  to  introduce  mischief  under  cover  of  blue 
and  gold.  In  such  a  livery  have  I  found,  in  the 
hand  of  a  girl  of  fifteen,  the  "  Beauties  of  Festus," 
as  her  reward  for  attainments  in  the  highest  class. 
Festus  !  a  work  which  in  spite  of  all  its  talent  and 
fine  thinking,  I  threatened  to  burn  on  account  of 
its  blasphemous  tendencies,  when  a  young  person 
proposed  to  leave  it  on  my  table.  Festus — which 
introduces  among  its  dramatis  personae  the  Sacred 
Three,  and  daringly  inserts  in  the  margin  the  holy 
names,  mixed  up  with  its  other  interlocutors.  I 
turned  over  the  "Beauties  of  Festus"  with  eager 
fear,  and  found  that  no  delicate  omission  had  been 
made ;  as  is  the  book,  so  are  its  beauties — and  this 
the  reward  of  a  studious  girl !  Surely  an  enemy 
hath  done  this  ! 

Another  painful  effect  of  this  liberty-of-con- 
science  scheme  struck  me  again  and  again  in  attend- 
ing the  Inspector's  examinations,  viz.,  the  abridg- 
ment of  his  liberty  and  that  of  any  Christian 
minister's  who  might  be  present,  so  that  their  final 
addresses  were  limited  to  stories  of  obedient  boys, 
good  morals  and  good  manners,  and  not  a  word 
hinted  of  the  divine  law,  of  the  gospel,  and  of  the 
bright  prospects  which  the  gospel  unfolds.     The  re- 


64  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS 

wards  proposed  to  them  are  that  they  may  be  re 
spected,  may  become  magistrates,  governors,  sena- 
tors, or  even  President  of  the  United  States.  One 
grieved  to  see  the  Christian  sentiment  kept  down 
in  the  speakers,  and  the  Christian  motive  withheld 
from  the  listeners,  and  as  one  looked  over  the  pleas 
ant,  orderly,  ductile-looking  youth,  one  felt  how 
much  finer  things  are  in  store  for  those  who  love 
the  Lord,  and  how  delightful  it  would  be,  instead 
of  senators  and  presidents,  to  tell  them  of  crowns 
and  palms,  and  harps,  and  of  the  city  where  there 
is  no  night,  no  pain,  no  difficult  tasks,  and  no  death. 
The  idea  also  arises,  that  there  is  an  over-tender- 
ness in  the  examinators.  If  a  whole  class  blunders 
over  a  question,  as  I  have  repeatedly  remarked  to 
happen  more  in  English  grammar  than  in  any  other 
branch,  it  is  glided  by,  some  loophole  for  excuse  is 
found,  so  that  neither  teachers  nor  pupils  feel  the 
deficiency  sufficiently  to  be  put  on  the  alert  in  cor- 
recting it.  Why  not  say  simply,  this  needs  to  be 
amended?  The  general  tenor  of  remark  is  of  a 
complimentary  character.  Is  this  lest  free  pupils 
should  take  offence  and  leave  the  school?  Then 
surely  the  pupils  are  much  more  free  than  their  ex- 
aminators. One  expects  genuine  freedom  to  use 
great  plainness  of  speech,  and  that  in  cases  of  this 


AND   FBEE  ACADEMY.  55 

sort,  the  performance  of  duty  demands  it — a  pain- 
ful evidence  that  in  New  York  city  liberty  is  slid- 
ing gradually  under  an  influence  which  domineers 
over  conscience  wherever  it  reigns,  is  found  in  the 
blackening  of  one  page  in  a  whole  edition  of  a 
school  lesson-book.  And  what  is  this  page  bearing 
so  condemning  a  mark  ?  Nay,  it  is  carefully  oblit- 
erated, and  so  past  my  reading,  except  that  through 
its  gloom  the  name  of  Martin  Luther  is  dimly  per- 
ceptible. Is  there  liberty  of  conscience  here,  or  is 
there  not  rather  incipient  papal  domination  ? 

With  these  exceptions,  but  they  are  grave  ones, 
the  Common  School  is  an  admirable  institution, 
furnishing  the  fundamentals  of  all  learning,  and 
the  books  employed  in  teaching,  to  every  rank  of 
children.  No  one  need  be  uneducated  if  willing  to 
be  taught.  The  school-houses  are,  in  general,  erect- 
*ed  by  the  district,  which  also  elects  trustees  who 
manage  the  school  for  one  year  and  appoint  teach- 
ers, while  the  teachers  are  paid  from  the  general 
school-fund.  A  difficulty  about  obtaining  steady 
attendance,  arises  from  the  very  liberality  of  the 
plan.  Caprice  leads  to  leaving  one  school  and 
entering  another.  Or  a  new  and  airy  school-house 
in  the  next  ward,  may  thin  the  benches  of  the 
school  in  this.     It  is  our  experience  in  Britain  that 


66  THE  COMMON  SCHOOLS 

we  prize  less  what  we  get  freely,  and  therefore,  the 
mother  who  sends  her  penny  with  her  infant  on 
Monday  morning,  will  have  more  scruple  about 
keeping  the  child  at  home  for  a  trifling  reason,  than 
she  would  have  if  she  paid  nothing.  We  need  not 
weigh  the  penny  against  lost  time  and  opportunity, 
and  the  contraction  of  idle  habits — any  one  who 
can  "  calculate"  sees  that,  and  the  absence  of  charge 
is  hinted  at  as  a  difficulty  with  the  common  school 
teachers  as  well  as  with  our  own. 

There  is  a  very  becoming  courage  in  the  manner 
the  pupils  give  out  their  attainments,  and  a  pleasant 
music  in  their  recitation,  and  at  times  a  swelling 
feeling  of  the  sentiments  they  utter,  or  a  suppressed 
consciousness  of  the  drollery  of  the  dialogues  which 
they  recite  on  exhibition  days,  which  always  drew 
forth  my  heart  to  the  young  people.  In  no  country 
does  one  feel  so  clearly  that  courage  exists  apart 
from  boldness,  and  that  frankness  has  no  necessary 
connection  with  forwardness,  as  in  the  United 
States.  That  movable  excitabilty  which  "  turns 
at  the  touch  of  joy  or  woe,  and  turning  trembles 
too,"  is  inexpressibly  lovely  in  youth — and  I  have 
never  more  admired  young  countenances,  than  some 
of  those  that  I  have  seen  turned  to  beloved  teach- 


AND   FREE   ACADEMY.  57 

ers,  and  stirred  by  the  zeal,  ambition,  or  animation 
of  a  favorite  lesson. 

The  education,  if  we  except  the  classics,  embraces 
a  wider  range  than  that  of  our  parish  schools,  and 
is  very  thorough,  if  it  be  not  the  pupil's  own  fault. 
One  sees  the  higher  classes  of  girls  quite  "  au  fait" 
in  astronomy,  square  and  cube  root,  &c.  Another 
striking  difference  is  the  employment  of  Female 
Teachers,  not  in  the  industrial  department  only,  nor 
for  girls  alone.  They  seem  more  numerous  than 
the  Male  Teachers,  probably  because  they  are  ob- 
tained at  a  cheaper  rate.  Why  the  rate  should  be 
cheaper  does  not  appear.  Their  labor  is  not  less, 
neither  are  their  attainments  and  success  inferior. 
I  have  never  admired  calm  authority  and  sensible 
dignity  more  than  in  the  person  of  an  American 
female  teacher,  while  she  drew  forth  the  attainments 
of  fifty  big  boys  in  Mathematics  and  the  Latin  rudi- 
ments. Her  class  was  in  perfect  order,  and  her  pu- 
pils evidently  observed  her  with  aifectionate  respect. 
She  was  not  teaching  in  one  of  the  Common  Schools, 
as  the  Latin  lesson  proved.  But  such  female  teach- 
ers are  nearly  as  common  as  the  schools. 

As  past  experience  generally  passes  in  the  mind 
in  a  sort  of  panoramic  review  while  we  are  busily 
observing  the  present ;  or  rather,  what  we  witness 


58  THE  COMMON  SCHOOLS 

now  forms  the  foreground,  while  what  we  have  seen 
elsewhere  forms  the  background  of  the  picture,  so  it 
is  inevitable  that  comparison  should  be  in  active 
exercise.  One  difference  which  met  me  everywhere 
was,  the  mode  of  addressing  pupils  at  an  examina- 
tion, showing  what  is  expected  of  them.  They  are 
not  treated  as  machines  upon  whom  the  Teachers 
are  to  act,  as  they  unfortunately  sometimes  are  in 
England  ;  but  as  members  of  the  community,  who 
have  a  part  to  act  themselves,  and  who  are  as  much 
interested  in  the  credit  of  the  school  as  the  Teach- 
ers. The  effect  of  this  is  to  excite  a  common  inter- 
est between  teachers  and  taught,  and  to  give  supe- 
rior manliness  and  energy. 

The  fittings-up,  or  "  fixings,"  as  our  brethren  call 
them,  of  some  of  the  more  recent  school-rooms  are 
very  worthy  of  imitation.  Instead  of  one  long, 
dreary  bench  in  front  of  a  desk,  which  forms  a  bar- 
rier to  be  climbed  over,  each  pupil  has  a  rounded 
seat,  which  turns  a  little  on  a  pivot  and  has  a  low 
back,  so  that  he  glides  gently  into  his  place,  instead 
of  clambering  into  it  with  an  unsightly  scramble  ; 
and  when  seated,  he  has  a  rest  for  his  spinal  column, 
which  saves  him  at  once  from  oppressing  and  con- 
tracting his  chest  by  leaning  forward,  and  from  the 
lateral  curvature  which  so  frequently  is  the  result  of 


AND  FREE  ACADEMY.  59 

attitudes  chosen  to  relieve  the  weariness  of  a  long 
unsupported  seat. 

There  is  much  ingenuity  and  spirit  in  the  songs 
and  recitations  which  awaken  patriotic  sentiments  in 
the  very  dawn  of  life,  and  give  each  child  a  personal 
interest  in  what  he  is  engaged  about.  A  selection 
of  these  things  might  form  a  curious  and  character- 
istic publication,  letting  one  into  the  very  heart  and 
spring  of  the  national  character.  The  stanza  or  two 
here  presented  are  only  fragments  : — 

THE  COMMON  SCHOOL. 

******** 
I'll  sing  the  hours  of  sweet  content, 

Of  innocence  and  toys, 
When  to  the  Common  School  I  went 
With  other  girls  and  boys. 
'Tis  a  happy  theme  ;  like  a  golden  dream  its  memory  seems 

to  be, 
A.nd  I'll  sing  with  joy  and  gratitude— The  Common  School 
for  me. 


Then  blessings  on  our  Common  Schools, 

Wherever  they  may  stand. 
They  are  the  people's  colleges, 

The  bulwarks  of  the  land. 
Thus  in  our  songs  we  will  them  praise 

With  loud  and  joyous  glee, 
And  Yankee  Doodle  we  will  raise, 

And  tell  the  world  we're  free. 


60  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS 


'Tis  a  happy  theme  ;  like  a  golden  dream  its  memory  seems 

to  be, 
And  I'll  sing  while  I  have  voice  or  tongue — The  Common 

School  for  me. 

This  fell  the  more  cordially  into  a  Scottish  ear, 
because  of  the  familiar  air,  "  There's  nae  luck  about 
the  house,"  to  which  it  was  sung  with  great  spirit. 

There  is  a  very  extensive  Temperance  Society, 
which  bears  the  name  of  their  great  General  as  its 
rallying  word.  There  is  practical  usefulness,  both 
to  the  cause  of  Temperance  and  that  of  Patriotism, 
in  teaching  the  children  a  strain  like  the  following, 
which,  we  need  not  say,  is  not  introduced  because  of 
its  poetry,  but  because  of  its  influence : — 

"  Through  all  the  wide  creation, 
This  glorious  reformation* 
Must  spread  to  every  nation, 
So  nobly  speeds  it  on. 

Then  let  the  cause  speed  on. 

Let  the  name  of  Washington 
Be  rung  through  all  the  land,  boys, 
Oh,  boldly  take  your  stand,  boys ! 
Come  join  us  heart  and  hand,  boys. 
Remember  Washington, 

He  bared  his  noble  breast,  boys. 
To  give  his  country  rest,  boys, 
Because  we  were  oppressed,  boys. 

Then  let  the  cause  speed  on. 

*  Temperance. 


AND   FREE  ACADEMY.  61 

Let  the  name  of  Washington 
Excite  each  youthful  heart,  boys, 
To  act  a  generous  part,  boys, 
When  in  the  cause  you  start,  boys. 
Remember  Washington, 

If  a  few  heart-stirring  rhymes  were  introduced 
into  those  of  our  schools  at  home,  where  the  art 
of  singing  is  practised,  they  might  produce  a  hap- 
py effect  in  awakening  the  patriotism,  and  quick- 
ening the  loyalty  of  our  juvenile  citizens,  and  wor- 
thily supersede  "  Little  Tom  Tuck,"  and  his  tribe. 

What  has  been  said  of  schools  refers  chiefly  to  the 
City  and  County  of  New  York,  but  might  be  equally 
said  of  all  the  counties  and  cities  in  the  State.  In 
all  the  Eastern  States,  the  impulse  to  furnish  educa- 
tion is  vigorous. 

In  Connecticut  there  is  an  extensive  school  prop- 
erty, consisting  of  Bonds  and  Mortgages,  Bank  Stock, 
Cultivated  Lands  and  Buildings,  and  Wild  Lands, 
which  is  portioned  out  according  to  the  claims  and 
wants  of  the  several  counties.  The  arrangement  is 
probably  nearly  the  same  in  all  the  New-England 
States,  and  in  the  other  Free  States.  The  manage- 
ment varies  with  the  places,  but  all  have  schools  with 
libraries  attached.  Some  have  Committees  to  ex- 
amine and  select  books,  and  where  ito  Committee 
exists,  the  good  people  in  the  district  do  what  they 


62  THE   COMMON   SCHOOLS 

can  to  form  useful  libraries,  and  happily  by  a  com- 
mon law,  positively  bad  books  are  excluded  from  all 
public  libraries. 

The  United  States  delights  to  call  itself  the 
Model  Republic,  and  is  a  fair  field  for  proving  the 
republican  form  of  government.  In  this  world, 
where  perfection  is  not  found,  we  are  often  glad  to 
do  the  best  that  circumstances  admit  of,  and  to 
yield  points  for  the  sake  of  unanimity,  but  this  ex- 
clusion of  religious  instruction  from  the  common 
schools  is  a  very  great  thing  to  yield.  They  talk 
of  the  purpose  of  some  religious  bodies,  to  erect 
church  schools,  and  take  the  superintendence  of 
their  own  children,  and  they  are  very  right  if  better 
may  not  be.  But  a  distant  spectator,  who  is  igno- 
rant of  the  adverse  power  which  may  arise  to  pre- 
vent a  change,  should  it  again  be  put  to  the  vote, 
cannot  but  wish  the  matter  were  reconsidered  be- 
fore the  most  pious  of  the  community  withdraw 
from  the  present  system  entirely.  If  a  more  de- 
cided duty  were  made  of  Scripture-reading,  if  ques- 
tioning on  that,  in  the  same  manner  as  on  other 
reading,  were  introduced,  and  if  a  few  passages 
of  the  Bible  and  a  few  hymns,  from  the  copious 
collections  which  exist,  were  committed  to  memory, 
and  if  a  little  sacred  singing  were  added  to  the 


AND   FKEE  ACADEMY.  63 

morning  prayer,  it  would  give  solidity  to  the  whole 
fabric,  and  form  a  foundation  for  all  the  moral  les- 
sons which  it  is  the  duty  of  the  teachers  to  incul- 
cate. To  expend  all  the  pains  on  preparation  for 
this  short  life,  and  leave  an  eternity  of  happiness 
or  misery  unthought  of,  uncared  for,  is  not  the  act 
of  a  truly  kind  and  reasonable  government. 

A  little  French  pamphlet,  entitled  "  Le  Palais 
de  Cristal,"  contains  a  few  sentences  that  apply 
but  too  well  to  this  subject — they  are  here  trans- 
lated :  "  It  seems  as  if  all  would  work  without  the 
influences  of  religion,  and  without  having  recourse 
to  its  aid.  They  never  call  it  to  help  them,  and 
even,  they  think  to  do,  or  to  be  able  to  do  better 
without  it  than  with  it.  They  pretend  that  it  has 
failed  of  its  aim ;  that  it  has  not  succeeded,  and 
they  leave  it  on  one  side  in  the  positive  expectation 
to  accomplish  their  design.  They  will  not  mention 
it,  because  they  fear  in  doing  so,  to  introduce  a 
source  of  quarrels,  of  divisions,  and  animosities,  as 
the  past  has  proved,  for  men  have  quarrelled  and 
gone  to  war  and  strife  as  much  for  religion  as  for 
politics  and  other  things.  No,  Jesus  Christ  and 
his  religion  go  for  nothing  in  modern  plans  and 
projects.  The  religious  amelioration  of  man  is  of 
no  moment.     The  sole  object  is  the  temporal,  cor- 


64  THE   COMMON  SCHOOLS. 

poreal,  material,  and  a  little  the  intellectual  good 
of  man.  All  belongs  to  this  world,  and  all  is  for 
this  world.  As  if  they  supposed  that  man  is  not 
immortal  nor.  fallen,  and  responsible  before  God. 
Here,  man  and  his  glory  are  the  sovereign,  nay,  al- 
most the  sole  object."* 

*  Le  Palais  de  Cristal,  par  le  Rev.  Z.  V.  Cachemaille, 
page  11. 


lutrhatji  IrjrnnlB, 

When  the  lack  of  religious  instruction  in  Com- 
mon Schools  is  mentioned,  pious  parents  generally 
advert  to  Sabbath-schools  and  try  to  console  them- 
selves with  them  as  a  substitute.  And  so  they 
might,  in  some  degree,  were  the  influence  all-pervad- 
ing, and  the  attendance  steady — and  did  not  the 
heart  require  "line  upon  line  and  precept  upon 
precept,"  before  the  truth  sinks  into  it. 

Were  all  who  venture  to  take  charge  of  classes 
themselves  enlightened  Christians,  had  all  the  gift 
of  teaching,  and  all  the  zeal  and  love  which  would 
induce  them  to  accompany  lessons  with  their  pray- 
ers,— then  one  might  comprehend  how  the  tender 
mother  who  has  begun  to  teach  the  sweet  story  of 
Jesus,  and  has  delighted  to  hear  her  little  ones 
lisp  hymns  in  his  praise,  can  venture  to  resign  her 
office  to  another.  Then  one  might  see  the  father 
confide  the  charge  which  is  given  him  of  God,  to  a 
jonth  who  in  the  common  course  of  things,  is  not 
6 


66  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

likely  to  be  as  experienced  a  Christian  as  himself. 
Then  one  might  hope  that  mollifying  Sabbath  influ- 
ences would  subdue  young  hearts  and  bring  them 
home  to  their  parents,  what  they  wish  them  to  be- 
come. 

One  cannot  but  question  whether  this  is  the 
natural  result,  if  the .  natural  guides  withdraw  en- 
tirely from  the  office  of  ordering  their  children  well 
themselves.  There  is  a  uniting  power,  a  respectful 
affection,  an  elevating  sentiment,  which  if  it  be 
awakened  at  all,  is  lost  by  the  parent  and  trans- 
ferred to  the  teacher.  The  years  in  which  the 
young  and  helpless  draw  their  support  from  their 
parents,  are  also  the  years  when  their  sympathies 
may  be  interwoven,  so  as  to  make  a  life-long  web 
of  mutual  help  and  unfailing  concord.  Why  should 
this  be  sacrificed  ?  and  a  gap  made  of  the  interven- 
ing time  between  the  nursery  lessons  and  their 
entering  on  public  life. 

It  is  said,  if  the  well-qualified  parents  withhold 
their  children  from  the  Sabbath-school,  the  ill-quali- 
fied will  not  send  theirs.  If  this  be  so,  it  must 
arise  from  a  maistake  lying  somewhere  as  to  the 
origin  and  use  of  such  schools.  When  Mr.  Raikes 
first  assembled  a  few  children  in  the  city  of  Glou- 
cester, he  did  not  go  to  the  most  pious  people  in 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  67 

the  city  and  ask  for  their  children,  that  he  might 
instruct  them  in  addition  to  the  little  vagabonds  of 
the  high-ways  and  hedges — but  he  filled  his  benches 
with  the  uncared-for,  and  his  example  was  quickly 
followed  by  thousands. 

An  unfortunate  consequence  of  children,  who 
might  be  at  least  as  well  trained  at  home,  going  out 
for  religious  instruction,  is,  that  they  are  often  seat- 
ed with  the  school  in  church  ;  and  thus  another 
bond  with  their  own  family  is  not  formed.  They 
do  not  walk  to  the  house  of  God  in  company  ;  they 
are  not  under  the  parental  eye  during  the  service, 
and  the  hoard  of  remembrances  is  not  treasured  up 
which  might  come  over  the  heart  in  after-life,  like  ^ 
breeze  from  the  sweet  south,  fannmg  the  flame  of 
love,  or  awakening  the  drowsy  conscience. 

There  is  no  more  tranquil  use  of  Sabbath  morn- 
ing hours  than  to  enrich  the  memory  with  the  word 
of  God,  and  no  more  social  way  of  passing  its  even- 
ing than  in  reading  and  catechizing  the  domestic 
circle.  In  a  country  where  sociality  is  so  lively, 
and  natural  buoyancy  so  excitable,  a  stamp  of  do- 
mestic tranquillity  may  be  placed  on  such  use  of  the 
sacred  hours,  which  may  steady  the  character  for 
life. 

No  one  can  suppose,  from  these  remarks,  that 


68  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

Sabbath-teaching  in  schools  is  meant  to  be  rejected. 
To  the  Christian  artisan  who  is  glad  of  the  unwont- 
ed delight  of  an  hour  for  repose  and  meditation, 
what  a  privilege  to  send  his  young  ones  to  the  care 
of  pious  teachers  who  act  under  the  inspection  of 
his  pastor  or  elders.  He  is  glad  that  they  are  bet- 
ter taught  than  he  could  teach  them,  and  that 
they  procure  from  the  library  books  which  he 
could  not  seek  for  them,  and  he  prays  for  a  bless- 
ing on  the  teacher  and  his  efforts.  While  to 
the  children  of  the  ignorant  and  regardless,  the 
Sabbath-school  is  a  boon  of  whose  worth  they  are 
as  yet  unaware. 

It  would  be  a  decided  advantage  if  the  young 
people  were  to  remain  a  year,  or  even  two,  longer 
under  instruction  than  they  usually  do,  so  that  they 
might  ascend  from  mere  juvenile  recitations  to  the 
proving  of  doctrines  or  the  collation  of  Scriptures, 
such  as  the  prophecy  in  one  book,  and  its  fulfilment 
in  another ;  or  the  conversion  of  an  apostle  in  one 
city,  and  his  planting  of  churches  in  another. 

If  a  looker-on  who  confesses  not  having  attended 
more  than  a  dozen  Sabbath-schools  in  various  cities 
may  venture  an  observation,  it  would  be,  that  in 
Scotland  more  pains  is  taken  to  lay  in  a  store  of 
Scriptural  knowledge,  and   give  the  understanding 


SABBATH   SCHOOLS.  69 

food  which  may  work  upon  and  guide  the  conscience, 
while  in  America  more  pains  are  taken  to  arouse 
the  conscience  and  address  feeling.  If  the  latter 
method  succeed  at  present,  and  a  permanent  change 
be  wrought,  it  is  well ;  but  should  it  prove  but  a 
momentary  flash  of  feeling  which  expires,  it  is  not 
so  likely  to  return,  for  it  has  no  firm  foundation  in 
the  mind.  The  recollection  of  an  emotion  is  not 
potent  like  the  return  of  a  Scripture  truth,  coming 
with  an  authority  which  cannot  be  gainsayed  or  re- 
sisted. 

Many  there  are  who  carry  a  grateful  love  for 
their  teachers  through  the  church  during  life,  and 
many  young  ones  who  entertain  a  respect  and  confi- 
dence for  their  Sunday  guides,  but  still  the  fear 
arises  that  amid  the  multitude  there  be  young  guides 
who  require  to  be  themselves  guided,  and  that  the 
calm  consistent  walk  of  their  fathers  is  painfully  de- 
parted from  by  some  who  venture  to  be  Christian 
instructors.  The  admonition  to  the  pupils  to  be- 
ware of  being  "  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers 
of  God,"  falls  powerless  from  the  lips  of  a  teacher 
who  crowds  to  juvenile  parties  and  passes  evenings 
in  music  and  dancing.  And  it  is  very  painful  to 
see  loving  mothers  watching  their  offspring  plunge 
into  a  sea  of  folly,  which  they  do  not  seem  to  hope 


70  SABBATH   SCHOOLS. 


to  control,  and  their  turning  with  a  moistened  eye 
and  asking,  "  Ah  !  do  you  think  they  will  be  drown- 
ed ?"  Who  shall  solve  the  question  ?  Prayer  may 
be  answered  for  them — God  may  in  mercy  arrest 
them,  and  show  them,  perhaps  by  a  stroke  of  his 
chastening  rod,  that  what  they  pursue  is  unsatisfy- 
ing, and  leads  to  dreariness  and  vanity.  At  any 
rate  it  was  not  such  early  occupations  that  made  the 
parents  such  advanced  Christians,  and  it  is  probable 
that  more  domestic  union  in  divine  teaching,  and 
less  herding  together  in  smiling  throngs  on  the 
Lord's  day,  might  prevent  the  ardor  for  and  extent 
of  vain  social  pleasures,  over  which  Christian  parents 
mourn,  and  from  which  they  forebode  evil. 

Some  small  arrangements  which  might  be  easily 
changed  seem  inconvenient,  and  pernicious  in  their 
consequences.  Such  as  that  of  laying  the  "  Chris- 
tian Messenger,"  or  other  religious  newspapers,  in 
the  pews,  and  distributing  the  Sabbath  library-books 
to  the  children  just  before  the  service  commences. 
The  temptation  is  great,  and  is  yielded  to  without 
reserve,  of  occupying  time  previous  to  the  com- 
mencement of  divine  worship  in  reading  and  divert- 
ing the  mind  by  religious  news^  or  so-called  religious 
tales,  which  might  be  fitly  employed  in  petitions  for 
the  pastor,  and  for  power  to  unite  the  heart  to  fear 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  71 

God's  name.  It  is  very  painful  to  see  the  paper 
scarcely  thrust  aside  to  make  way  for  the  hymn, 
and  the  little  ones  devouring  the  narrative  portion 
of  their  book — carefully  passing  by  the  "  sermoniz- 
ing"— while  the  man  of  God  is  pouring  salutary  in- 
struction into  their  unlistcning  ears. 

The  question  was  gravely  put  in  a  Southern  city, 
whether,  seeing  parents  are  indulged  with  a  portion 
of  worldly  matter  in  the  "  Presbyterian,"  '•  Obser- 
ver," and  "  Evangelist,"  it  would  not  be  right  to  in- 
dulge the  children  in  the  same  way  in  their  "  Record" 
or  "  Messenger."  Do  you  refer  to  a  Sunday  or  re- 
ligious paper  ?  was  the  question  in  reply.  "  Yes ; 
of  course  pious  children  would  pass  the  news  by  until 
Monday."  "  But  you  teach  them  to  pray, '  Lead  us 
not  into  temptation  ;'  would  not  this  method  lay  a 
snare  before  them  ?"  "  Those  who  have  any  fear 
will  see  and  shun  it."  "  But  those  who  have  not  will 
fall  into  it,  and  get  the  habit  of  lax  employment  of 
sacred  time,  acquired  by  means  of  you  who  wish  to 
do  them  good.  Believe  me,  Sir,  in  Scotland  your 
question  would  admit  of  but  one  answer." 

This  little  colloquy  indicates  a  degree  of  slight- 
ness  with  respect  to  the  use  of  sacred  time  and  happy 
opportunities,  which  may  lead  to  painful  conse- 
quences. 


72  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

Many  solid  Christian  people  feel  so  deeply  that 
the  libraries  are  flooded  with  trifling  and  insipid 
would-be  religious  stories,  full  of  vague  and  unsound 
theology,  that  the  evil  must  speedily  be  corrected. 

There  is  a  degree  of  sensibility  in  the  Americans 
in  all  matters  of  taste,  which  often  calls  forth  admi- 
ration, and  which  mingles  with  occasions  of  sorrow 
as  well  as  of  joy.  At  times  perhaps  the  tasteful 
might  with  advantage  be  restrained,  lest  it  occupy 
the  room  of  some  more  precious  thing. 

One  simple  example  of  what  is  meant,  may  be  ex- 
hibited without  a  breach  of  delicacy.  A  gentleman 
past  the  meridian  of  life,  with  manners  and  counte- 
nance beaming  with  benevolence,  enters  a  room  where 
he  is  hailed  by  the  children  with  loving  welcomes. 
But  especially  the  little  girl,  who  is  his  pupil,  places 
herself  on  his  knee,  and  twines  her  fingers  through 
his  half-hoary  hair. 

The  mother,  with  grateful  expression,  relates  that 
he  is  the  teacher,  and  most  beloved  by  all  his  class, 
in  school  and  out.  The  gentleman  mentions  how 
many  years  he  has  kept  a  Sabbath-class  of  children 
at  the  age  reckoned  most  liable  to  distressing  deaths, 
and  how  he  never  had  a  death  amongst  them,  but  kept 
them  on  till  ready  to  be  promoted  to  a  higher  class. 
It  was  remarked  "  that  this  was  happy  for  him,  and 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  73 

for  parents  ;  yet  sometimes  the  removal  of  a  school- 
mate by  death,  impressed  the  young  mortals  with  a 
new  and  important  view  of  the  eternal  world." 
"  You  would  not  wish  for  a  death,  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  the  children  such  a  lesson?"  inquired  the 
mother.  "  Surely  not ;  but  at  the  moment  I  re- 
member a  large  school,  in  silence,  and  many  in  deep 
emotion,  when  the  children  by  their  own  motion  se- 
lected a  hymn  and  recited  it  after  the  death  of  one 
of  their  number,  the  effect  of  which  remains  with 
some  to  this  day.     The  poem  began  thus  : — 

'  Death  has  been  here,  and  borne  away 
A  sister  from  our  side. 
Just  in  the  morning  of  her  day, 
As  young  as  we  she  died.'  " 

Well,  Madam,"  said  the  excellent  man,  with  his 
loving,  smiling  countenance,  "  we  have  not  been  so 
many  years  united,  without  opportunity  to  send  the 
lesson  of  mortality  home  to  the  heart.'  We  lost  a 
beloved  lady,  one  of  our  teachers,  some  time  ago. 
She  was  very  dear  to  her  own  pupils,  and  they  sin- 
cerely mourned  her  ;  and  I  led  my  own  little  train  to 
the  funeral,  dressed  in  white  ;  and  when  we  came  up 
the  centre  aisle  in  a  double  column,  they  divided  and 
passed  up  each  side  of  the  coffin,  and  each  laid  a 


74  S-ABBATH   SCHOOLS. 

bunch  of  roses  upon  it.  They  then  seated  them- 
selves on  each  side  of  the  wide  pulpit  stairs,  which 
they  nearly  filled." 

It  was  easy  to  say,  for  it  is  true,  that  the  scene 
must  have  been  touching  and  pretty,  but  there  was 
a  want  of  fitness.  It  would  have  been  touching  and 
pretty  at  a  wedding  or  a  baptism.  It  was  not  so 
easy  not  to  say,  "  Were  you  not  sacrificing  the  sol- 
emn to  the  picturesque,  and  diverting  thought  from 
the  judgment  throne  and  the  world  of  glory,  on  be- 
half of  the  merely  graceful  and  beautiful  ?" 


€llE  "%nti%'  3lJnting." 

In  every  crowded  community,  there  is  a  circle 
which  from  profligacy,  ignorance,  or  poverty  in  the 
parents,  falls  below  the  educational  degree  ;  and,  if 
that  circle  is  to  he  taught  at  all,  it  must  be  led  and 
raised  by  the  hand  of  Christian  benevolence.  New 
York  has  a  crowd  of  such  persons  who  linger  about 
the  docks  half  employed,  because  intemperate,  not  to 
mention  the  newly-arrived  and  desolate-looking 
emigrants,  and  is  quite  as  able  to  furnish  out  a  few 
"  ragged  schools"  as  are  the  Trongate  of  Glasgow, 
and  the  Cowgate  of  Edinburgh. 

I  am  not  sure,  that  with  the  exception  of  that  of 
Mr.  Pease  at  the  Five  Points,  any  such  week-day 
gathering  of  forlorn  creatures  has  been  made.  Sev- 
eral Sabbath  ragged-schools,  however,  have  been 
assembled  by  means  of  the  energy  of  individual  com- 
passion. Intelligent  and  spirited  young  Christian 
men  have  permeated  the  throng,  and  coaxed  them 
within  the  sound  of  instruction.     By  what  ingenious 


76  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 

devices  they  influenced  the  wild  little  denizens  I  am 
not  aware — Perhaps  by  some  such  as  the  poor  shoe- 
maker, John  Pounds,  on  Plymouth  dock  used, 
whose  pot  of  hot  potatoes  on  a  cold  day  used  to  fur- 
nish a  bribe  by  which  the  boys  were  drawn  within 
the  circle  of  instruction.  The  good  youths  must 
have  had  many  a  fruitless  or  at  least  disappointing 
stroll  on  the  docks,  and  around  Hudson  and  Green- 
wich Streets,  before  they  assembled  the  nucleus  of 
what  are  now  very  flourishing  schools. 

And  here  we  find  gathered  "  the  step-children  of 
nature  and  fortune,  the  outcast,  the  benighted,  the 
brutalized,  and  the  homeless."  Surely  here  we  shall 
find  Horace  Greeley  and  some  of  his  brave  three 
thousand  toiling  with  might  and  main  to  raise  the 
motley  crowd  to  the  level  of  the  common  school. 
They  iTiay  be  there,  but  I  did  not  hear  of  them — 
well,  but  the  children  are  assembled.  What  shall  we 
call  them  ?  There's  much  in  a  name  !  Though  every 
knee  and  elbow  testifies  that  it  is  a  ragged  gather- 
ing, though  every  mop-head  unconscious  of  a  comb, 
and  many  a  shirtless  neck  buttoned  round  by  the 
collar  of  a  coat  big  enough  for  father,  proves  that 
they  are  uncared  for,  yet  "  it  is  not  right  to  have  it 
thus  set  down." — Ragged  school  indeed !  Which 
of  all   those  four  hundred  tatterdemallions  would 


THE  BOYS'   MEETING.  77 

enter  your  door,  in  spite  of  the  temptation  of  a  dry 
seat  and  warm  stove,  if  you  give  it  such  an  oppro- 
brious name.  Benevolence  is  ingenious.  It  will 
not  be  baulked  by  any  obstacle  that  can  be  managed, 
and  so  to  publish  itself  in  the  district  without  of- 
fence, it  hangs  out  its  cotton  placard,  on  Sundays 
only,  with  "  The  Boys'  Meeting,"  in  capital  letters 
for  guidance  to  the  wanderers. 

Here  they  come  pell  mell !  but  a  composed 
person  meets  them  at  the  door,  whispers  a  calm 
word  or  two,  admits  them  one  by  one,  and  turns 
them  over  to  another,  who  seats  them.  And  now  look 
along  the  benches.  Here  are  four  hundred  crea- 
tures full  of  grimace,  restlessness,  trick,  and  temper, 
ready  to  fly  to  buffets,  if  but  their  neighbors  touch 
them. — A  good  man  with  fire  in  his  eye  and  zeal  in 
his  heart,  tells  them  a  little  of  Him  who  made  and 
preserves,  and  can  destroy  or  save  them,  and  asks 
the  open-mouthed,  unintelligent  throng  to  join  him 
in  prayer.  He  directs  an  attitude  and  act  quite 
new  to  them,  and  seeing  them  all  down  on  their 
knees  he  closes  his  own  eyes,  and  addresses  a  few 
simple  petitions  to  his  reconciled  Father  in  heaven ; 
but  when  again  he  looks  up  what  does  he  find? 
That  the  occiipant^  of  the  front  seats,  out  of  sheer 
ignorance  and  fun,  have  crept  under  the  benches 


78  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 

till  they  have  actually  reached  and  stood  up  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  room,  laughing  at  their  exploit,  and 
as  busy  as  may  be  tugging,  knocking,  and  struggling 
with  each  other. — Oh  !  hopeless  crew !  Shall  the 
good  man  turn  you  out,  and  resign  his  attempt? 
By  no  means.  The  ingenuity  of  benevolence  is  not 
so  soon  spent.  He  tells  them  if  they  will  replace 
themselves,  he  and  his  friends  will  sing  for  them, 
and  if  they  like  it  they  may  learn  to  sing  too.  The 
wondering  and  diverted  mob  flows  back,  and  dis- 
tributes itself  once  more  over  the  seats.  The  good 
man  recites  twice  or  thrice  the  words  of  a  single 
verse,  and  he  and  his  associates  raise  a  lively  tune. 
We  have  all  heard  what  it  is  that  music  has  charms 
to  soothe.  It  is  wonderful  that  power.  After  two  or 
three  repetitions  of  that  one  verse,  one  and  another 
takes  up  the  strain,  till  all  the  musical  ears  which 
happily  are  always  nine  tenths  of  any  company, 
have  caught  it,  and  are  engaged  in  following  the  air. 
Now  he  has  got  them  interested — their  leader  says, 
"If  you  will  learn  the  words  we  will  sing  it  to- 
gether," and  thus  is  the  point  of  the  wedge  inserted. 
Presently  it  is  driven  deeper.  "  Now,  if  you  will 
be  quiet,  I  will  read  you  a  story,  and  then  we  will 
sing  our  verse  again  before  we  part,"  and  so  perhaps 
the  "  Prodigal  Son,"  or  "  the  man  that  fell  among 


THE   BOYS'  MEETING.  79 

thieves,"  is  read,  and  at  least  a  third  listen,  and  the 
hymn  is  repeated,  the  blessing  prayed  over  their 
neglected  heads,  and  off  they  go,  amused  and  sur- 
prised with  the  novelty,  and  chiming  the  new  tune, 
and  newer  stanza  as  they  run. 

They  had  been  some  months  under  training  when 
I  saw  them — steady  and  quiet  by  help  of  a  little 
admonition  from  their  teachers,  who,  it  was  observ- 
able, did  not  venture  to  exact  much  mental  effort 
from  them.  They  sung  two  or  three  hymns,  an- 
swered as  many  questions,  listened  with  tolerable 
decency  to  a  passage  of  Scripture  and  its  explana- 
tion, and  with  lively  interest  to  a  narrative  which 
was  related  in  a  way  that  could  not  fail  to  fix  their 
minds.  They  were  steady  at  prayer,  and  although 
I  could  not  but  observe  that  the  distributor  of  the 
singing-books,  took  a  very  exact  account,  lest  any 
should  be  smuggled  away,  they  were  treated  kindly 
and  respectfully,  and  gave  kindness  and  respect  in 
return.  There  were  many  clean  faces  and  smooth 
heads,  and  even  a  few  tidy  suits  of  clothes,  which 
doubtless  owed  their  origin  to  "  the  Boys'  Meeting." 
Some  countenances,  bright  and  beaming,  turned 
earnestly  to  the  teachers,  and  gave  promise  of 
springing  from  the  slough  where  they  were  found, 
not  only  to  respectability  in  society,  but  to  a  home 


80  THE  BOYS'  MEETING. 

beyond  the  skies,  and  to  the  society  of  just  men 
made  perfect.  It  was  delightful  to  observe  hope 
sustaining  the  good  men  through  their  labor,  and 
the  love  and  energy  with  which  they  were  borne 
forward. 

I  regret  not  having  thought  of  the  story  so  as  to 
write  it  in  the  graphic  manner  in  which  it  was  told. 
Its  outline  is  this : — A  boy  who  feared  not  God,  nor 
obeyed  his  mother,  set  out  to  roam  with  others  on 
a  Sabbath  afternoon,  several  years  ago — -when  the 
spot  on  which  we  were  now  seated  was  a  green  field. 
The  field  was  enclosed  by  a  ragged  paling,  with 
here  and  there  an  upright  plank.  On  one  of  these 
planks  was  written  in  chalk,  "  Remember  the  Sab- 
bath-day to  keep  it  holy."  The  boy  observed  the 
words.  They  smote  his  conscience, — -he  feared  to 
go  on,  but  was  ashamed  to  tell  his  companions  why 
he  turned  back,  so  he  gradually  dropt  behind  and 
slipt  away.  The  tale  went  on,  how  a  kind  person 
invited  him  to  go  to  church,  how  he  afterwards  went 
voluntarily  to  school — how  he  was  apprenticed,  and 
pleased  his  master  by  his  truth  and  industry — and 
how  at  last,  taking  pity  on  boys  who  might  not  see 
a  chalk  text  on  the  paling  as  he  had  done,  he  had 
now  become  a  Sabbath-school  teacher.  He  left  the 
"  Boys'  Meeting"  to  draw  any  inference  it  pleased, 


THE   BOYS'   MEETING.  81 

but  one  might  guess  the  inference  was  that  the  per- 
son spoken  of  was  their  kind  teacher  himself 

As  we  entered  the  door  of  this  meeting,  two 
little  fellows  who  were  seated  on  the  steps,  were  in- 
vited by  the  visitors  to  go  up  to  school.  They  re- 
plied quite  civilly,  "  So  they  would  if  they  found  it 
suited."  '•  Nay,  now,  no  fear  of  its  suiting,  just 
come  with  me."  "  We  will  see  about  it."  "  What 
need  to  wait  and  see  about  it,  come  along  now." 
"  We  will  come  if  we  find  it  convenient."  "  But 
please  to  go  up  with  me,  I  am  a  stranger,  you  can 
show  me  the  door."  They  arose,  and  one  pointing, 
said,  "  I  would  go  up  if  it  were  necessary,  but  it  is 
the  first  door,  you  can't  miss  it."  The  quiet  inde- 
pendence of  the  little  chaps  was  a  mark  of  national 
character.  A  Scotch  boy  would  have  run  away,  or 
said  something  impudent  if  he  were  resolved  to  re 
fuse.  The  American  had  made  up  his  mind,  and 
merely  stated  it  with  perfect  civility.  My  curiosity 
was  excited,  and  by  watching  I  made  out  their 
reason.  A  band  of  Odd  Fellows  with  all  their 
quaint  array  of  flags,  belts,  music,  and  all  the  pro- 
fane bustle  with  which  they  disturb  the  Sabbath- 
day,  was  expected  to  return  from  a  funeral.  They 
came  presently,  and  when  a  rush  of  boys  came  into 
school  after  the  pageant  had  passed,  my  resolute 
6 


82  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 

acquaintances  having  seen  what  they  had  made  up 
their  minds  to  wait  for,  "  found  it  convenient"  to 
come  up  also.  Does  the  superior  courtesy  of  the 
less  cultivated  classes  arise  from  the  sober  certainty 
that  you  cannot  in  fact  interfere  or  constrain  them, 
so  that,  "  I  don't  feel  like  doing  it,"  is  the  quiet 
reply,  instead  of  the  8cotch  "  what  is  your  busi- 
ness," or,  "  what  need  you  care  whether  I  do  it  or 
not?" 

In  this  meeting  we  saw  the  encouraging  results  of 
a  few  months'  labor.  In  another  quarter  of  the 
city  a  similar  meeting,  which  had  been  convened  for 
two  years,  exhibited  a  much  advanced  condition. 
There  were  girls  and  female  teachers,  as  well  as  boys 
and  males.  The  hand  of  industry  and  kindness  was 
visible.  Neat,  clean,  and  cheerful  was  the  pleasant 
crowd.     Many  a  tunic  was  there  which  had  been — 

"  Turned  upside  down,  and  outside  in, 
And  made  a  braw  new  cotie  of." 

And  many  a  cap,  bonnet,  and  frock,  reminded  one 
of  Burns'  mother,  "  wi'  her  shears,  who  made  auld 
things  look  a'  maist  as  guid  as  new."  This  order 
and  comfort  among  the  garments  is  the  result  of  the 
united  contributions  and  industry  of  the  female 
teachers,  and  many  a  complacent  eye  ran  over  a  row 


THE  BOYS'   MEETING.  83 

of  little  scholars  fitted  up  for  the  school  by  means 
of  many  hours  of  labor.  It  was  Christmas-day,  so 
the  recitations  were  rather  more  of  a  discursive  na- 
ture than  on  the  Sabbath,  but  all  of  useful  tendency. 
There  were  interspersed  hymns  sweetly  sung,  and 
passages  of  Scripture  remarkably  well  recited.  The 
toil  of  collecting  the  children,  and  the  responsibilities 
of  teaching  them,  have  for  their  incentive  Christian 
love  alone,  seeking  neither  fee  nor  reward  save  that 
of  seeing  the  children  walk  in  the  truth.  And  when 
we  know,  that  two  years  before  they  were  as  wild 
and  rough  as  uncared-for  children  could  be,  even  the 
present  fruit  of  the  labor  was  a  most  pleasing  re- 
ward. 

I  understood  the  female  teachers  met  occasionally 
to  make  clothing  in  concert,  while  one  read  aloud 
— an  excellent  refreshing  sociality,  not  exercised  by 
fine  ladies,  who  might  leave  their  en\J)roidery  to 
unite  in  this  way — but  some  who  had  hastened 
through  domestic  cares,  to  procure  the  time,  and 
others  who  had  passed  the  regular  number  of  hours 
in  teaching  in  the  Common  Schools. 

Sustaining  the  Sabbath  Schools  is  with  many 
church-members,  a  duty  observed  with  as  much  care 
as  any  private  devotional  exercise.  On  remarking 
to  a  zealous  teacher  that  one  could  hardly  hope  Sen- 


84  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 

ator  A.  or  Governor  B.  to  have  leisure  from  their 
duties,  political  and  public,  to  attend  still  to  their 
class,  for  they  must  enjoy  the  repose  of  the  Sabbath ; 
I  felt  justly  rebuked  by  the  hearty  reply,  "  Why, 
Madam,  don't  you  believe  the  teaching  hours  are 
nearly  the  most  refreshing  hours  of  the  week?" 
and  so  it  is.  Wherever  the  mollifying  power  of  the 
religion  of  Jesus  is  felt,  there  flows  into  the  heart 
with  it  a  spirit  of  hopeful  benevolence,  which  turns 
the  man  into  the  protector  of  the  feeble,  and  the  ele- 
vator of  the  neglected  and  debased.  Be  he  Senator, 
Governor,  or  City  Missionary,  his  object  and  his  pur- 
suits will,  allowing  for  difference  of  circumstances, 
be  the  same,  and  none  will  be  found  too  low  to  sink 
beyond  his  loving  effort,  none  too  debased,  to  pass 
the  line  of  his  faith  and  hope — as  witness  Mr.  Pease 
at  the  Five  Points.  Its  rows  of  miserable  dwellings, 
whose  creaking  stairs,  broken  palings,  and  rag-stuff- 
ed window-panes,  sufficiently  indicate  that  honest  and 
cheerful  industry  have  long  since  fled  the  precinct, 
while  its  dull  and  besotted,  or  loud  and  brazen  ten- 
ants, render  it  prudent  for  a  respectable  female  to 
seek  protection  in  threading  its  streets  in  broad  day. 
Yet  there  has  Christian  benevolence  raised  its  hope- 
ful standard,  and  there  have  some  immortals  been 


THE  BOYS'   MEETING.  85 

lifted  from  the  depths,  and  entered  on  fhe  path  that 
leads  to  peace. 

The  process  of  commencement,  as  related  by  the 
zealous  operator,  is  worthy  of  a  record.  He  was 
Missionary  of  the  District,  and  many  a  day  his  heart 
fainted  as  he  toiled  from  den  to  den,  and  found  none 
to  care  for  his  Scripture  readings,  none  to  accept 
his  tracts,  none  to  value  his  prayers.  "  We  are 
hungry — ^give  us  bread — away  with  your  preaching  !" 
"  Why  don't  you  work  ?"  One  profligate  replies, 
"  My  eyes  are  dim."  Another,  "  Me  work  !  if  I 
could  do  it,  who  would  trust  me  with  it  ?"  "I  will, 
if  you  will  come  to  me  at  the  room  in  the  corner  of 

C Street  to-morrow  morning."  The  new  idea  had 

entered  the  man's  mind,  and  his  almost  electric  energy 
was  instantly  applied.  His  room  was.opened,  and  the 
necessary  preparations  made.  A  few  poor  shaken, 
miserable  women  dropt  in  ;  and  poor  work  they  made 
of  it,  yet  the  effort  was  wholesome.  After  the  day 
advanced  a  little,  their  employer  said,  "  Now,  I  will 
pay  you  for  what  you  have  done,  that  you  may  go 
and  buy  your  breakfasts  ;  and  if  you  return  and 
work  again,  you  shall  have  what  will  procure  your 
dinners."  This  went  on,  and  presently  little  chil- 
dren hung  about  the  door,  peeping  in  at  their  moth- 
ers, and  morsels  of  the  purchased  meal  were  shared 


86  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 

with  them.  Immediately  the  mercurial  mind  seized 
another  new  idea.  "  Little  ones,  if  you  will  wash 
your  faces  and  hands,  and  smooth  your  hair,  and  be 
as  neat  as  you  can,  you  may  come  to  me  to-morrow, 
and  we  will  begin  Infant  School,"  and  thus  shot 
forth  a  new  branch  from  the  prolific  stem. 

By  and  bye  some  of  the  sempstresses  fell  into 
their  old  snare  of  inebriety,  and  when  searched  for 
by  their  faithful  friend,  whose  hope  seemed  imper- 
ishable, they  told  him,  if  he  would  lodge  and  take 
care  of  them  they  would  be  kept,  but  they  could  not 
escape  if  they  returned  at  night  to  their  old  neigh- 
bors. Here  sprung  forth  another  branch.  With 
such  friends  as  he  could  raise,  the  philanthropist 
has  added  room  to  room,  till  in  the  spring  of  1851 
he  had  three  houses,  with  communications  enabling 
him  and  his  wife  to  pass  through  them  all,  and  locks 
preventing  the  passage  and  too  free  communication 
with  the  inmates. 

At  his  Sabbath-school  many  parents  and  other 
grown  people  are  auditors.  He  pointed  out  several 
who  were  seated  before  us,  and  mentioned  to  what 
condition  of  wretchedness  and  misery  they  had  sunk. 
All  the  cases  were  very  interesting.  One  we  select 
as  an  example  : — A  still  strong  and  rather  fair  man, 
whose  hair  began  to  exhibit  a  streak  of  silver,  and 


THE   BOYS'   MEETING.  87 

whose  face  recently  weather-beaten  was  now  placid 
and  pleasant,  and  who  had  the  air  of  a  decayed  gen- 
tleman, was  seated  near  a  class,  listening  eagerly  to 
the  instructions  of  its  teacher.  He  had  come  to 
Mr:  Pease  at  night,  and  begged  to  be  admitted  to 
the  Inebriate's  Retreat.  He  was  requested  to  re- 
turn in  the  morning,  as  a  test  of  his  being  desirous 
of  anything  more  than  a  night's  shelter.  He  did 
return,  one  sleeve  wanting  from  his  coat,  shoes  that 
would  not  stay  on  his  feet,  no  stockings,  or  neck- 
cloth, and  a  miserable  glazed  cap  on  his  head.  Yet 
withal  somewhat  of  an  air  and  address  about  the 
man  showed  he  had  lived  in  other  society  and  seen 
calmer  days.  "  Where  have  you  been  ?"  "  I  don't 
know."  "  Where  do  you  come  from  ?"  "  No- 
where." "  Why,  where  is  your  home  ?"  "  I  have 
none."  "  Where  do  you  sleep  V  "  Any  where." 
"  Tut,  man  !  where  did  you  sleep  last  night  ?"  "  On 
the  steps  of  the  City  Hall."  "And  where  the 
night  before  ?"  "  On  a  bench  in  the  Park." 
"  What  is  it  you  wish  ?"  "  To  be  taken  in  here  and 
reformed — I  have  nothing  else  between  me  and 
death — a  miserable,  a  drunkard's  death."  He  was 
taken  in,  bathed,  purified,  medicated,  and,  after  a 
few  days  of  repose,  he  was  asked  what  he  could  do 
to  maintain  himself.     He  had  been  once  a  respecta- 


88  THE   BOYS'   MEETING. 


ble  bookseller  in  England.  His  last  employment  in 
New  York  bad  been  the  sale  of  stationery  from 
door  to  door.  He  was  trusted  with  a  dollar,  laid  it 
out  in  stationery,  and  returned  at  night  gladly  to 
deposit  his  earnings  with  Mr.  Pease.  When  I  saw 
him  he  continued  still  in  the  protection  of  that  re- 
treat. Had  paid  for  all  his  clothing,  and  now  paid 
his  weekly  board  regularly,  and  laid  up  something 
with  which  to  begin  the  world,  as  soon  as  he  could 
trust  himself  out  of  doors.  Clothed  and  in  his 
right  mind,  taking  an  intelligent  interest  in  all  the 
exercises  of  the  school,  he  was  a  pleasant  sight  to 
see. 

At  the  risk  of  being  thought  prosy,  I  venture  to 
relate  the  history  of  another  inmate  of  this  Noah's 
Ark  at  the  Five  Points.  A  stout,  burly,  red-haired 
man  sat  in  that  school-room  with  a  child  on  his  knee. 
He  had  presented  himself  at  the  retreat,  desolate 
and  wretched,  some  months  before,  had  gone  through 
the  cleansing  and  cooling  process,  hired  himself  out 
to  labor,  and  brought  home  his  earnings  to  pay  his 
board.  After  some  time,  a  woman  came  in  search 
of  him.  He  had  been  lost,  and  she  laden  with  a 
babe,  and  a  very  heavy  heart,  had  sought  northward 
in  Boston  and  southward  in  Philadelphia,  but  in 
vain.     At  last  she  traced  him,  and  told  her  story  to 


THE  BOYS'   MEETING. 


Mr.  Pease.  He  sent  for  the  man,  and  conversed 
with  him  apart.  "  Are  you  married  ?"  "  Yes." 
"  Where  is  your  wife?"  "  I  don't  know."  "  That 
is  strange — why  did  you  part  from  her  ?"  "I  for- 
sook her  when  I  forsook  myself"  "  And  are  you 
content  that  it  should  be  so  ?"  "  Content !  No." 
Mr.  Pease  went  out  and  brought  in  the  child,  who 
trotted  across  the  floor.  The  man  gazed — the  little 
thing  could  walk — he  was  uncertain — at  last  na- 
ture's instinct  guided  him  to  the  truth.  "  That  is 
my  child  !"  he  cried,  and  snatched  him  to  his  bosom. 
The  reconciliation  was  not  difl&cult  to  be  brought 
about,  and  now  he  supports  his  family  under  the 
wing  of  Mr.  Pease.  It  was  pleasant  to  see  the  big 
man  nurse  the  little  one  so  tenderly  till  at  last  it 
fell  asleep,  and  he  resting  the  head  against  his 
broad  breast,  arose  gently  and  carried  it  out  of  the 
school-room. 

In  the  upper  story  of  that  strange  wild  extem- 
pore retreat,  I  found  a  Bible-class  of  women — 
nearly  thirty,  two  of  them  from  poor  old  Scotland, 
all  on  their  knees  around  a  dear  Christian  lady  who 
regiilarly  passed  her  Sabbath  afternoons  amongst 
them.  I  also  found  both  the  junior  and  senior 
Sabbath-schools  well  filled. 

It  strikes  one  used  to  the  close  teaching  of  the 


90  THE  BOYS'  MEETING. 

Holy  Scriptures  and  Shorter  Catechism,  that  there 
was  rather  too  little  Scripture  and  too  much  hymn- 
singing.  And  also,  that  there  is  a  danger  of  treat- 
ing abstinence  from  drunkenness  as  if  it  were  the 
very  rock  of  salvation.  However,  no  stranger,  even 
after  a  third  visit,  can  judge  of  the  position,  and 
capabilities,  and  necessities  of  the  people — and  taken 
as  a  whole,  the  resolute  principle  which  has  assem- 
bled upwards  of  seventy  persons,  young  and  old, 
providing  safe  lodging  for  some,  work  for  others, 
and  instruction  for  a  large  band  of  otherwise  neg- 
lected and  forsaken  children,  is  much  to  be  hon- 
ored, and  ought  to  be  sustained,  lest  the  good  man 
faint  by  the  way.  On  looking  back  to  those  dreary 
and  disgusting  haunts,  the  three  houses  at  the  cor- 
ner seem  like  the  leaven  hid  in  the  three  measures 
of  meal.  Would  that  they  might  abide  there  till 
the  whole  is  leavened. 

A  young  friend  went  to  ascertain  the  exact  posi- 
tion of  the  school,  before  he  conducted  me  there. 
He  inquired  of  a  policeman  which  was  the  house, 
and  was  advised  to  address  some  young  women 
standing  in  the  street,  who  would  show  it  him  round 
the  corner.  The  prudent  inquirer  hesitated  about 
speaking  to  women  in  such  a  locality,  when  the 
policeman  said,  "  A  year  since  I  would  not  have 


THE   BOYS'   MEETING.  91 

advised  you,  but  you  need  not  fear  to  speak  to 
them  now."  A  pleasant  testimony  to  the  correct- 
ing influence  already  emanating  from  this  Christian 
establishment. 

On  last  Thanksgiving  day,  Nov.  27,  1851,  seven- 
teen of  the  hotels  in  the  city  provided  a  dinner  of 
roast  beef  and  turkeys,  for  the  Five  Points  Mission, 
which  was  partaken  of  first,  by  the  Sunday-scholars, 
after  by  the  day-scholars,  and  finally  the  remnants 
were  sufficient  to  satisfy  a  band  of  "  outsiders," 
who  are  not  regular  attendants  at  the  school.  The 
whole  numbered  225.  They  were  waited  on  by 
their  teachers  and  other  gentlemen.  They  sung 
"  the  Happy  Land,"  that  never-failing  song  of  chil- 
dren, and  afterwards,  by  way  of  returning  thanks 
for  their  food,  "  From  all   that  dwell   below  the 


It  goes  right  to  the  heart  to  see,  hear,  and  feel, 
the  unity  of  pursuit  of  our  two  countries.  The 
same  plans — the  same  motives — the  same  Bible — 
nay,  even  the  same  hymns  lisped  by  the  infants. 
Is  there  not  much  more  to  unite  Great  Britain  and 
America'  than  there  ever  ought  to  be  to  divide 
them  ? 

In  America  as  in  Britain,  Christian  exertion  is 
ever  engaged  in  a  race  against  ignorance  and  miser^i 


92  THE  BOYS'   MEETING. 

— and  ignorance  and  misery  are  ever  keeping  ahead 
of  Christian  exertion. 

But  the  runners  though  beaten,  follow  on  "  faint 
yet  pursuing. "  And  though  not  accomplishing  all 
they  hope  for,  nor  the  hundredth  part  of  what  they 
see  is  needed,  yet  they  gain  victories,  and  their 
hearts  are  cheered — for  when  a  wreath  is  plucked 
from  the  thronging  and  flying  squadrons,  it  is  a 
wreath  of  amaranth — it  will  bloom  in  eternity. 


Observing  how  easily  and  frankly  children  are 
adopted  in  the  United  States,  how  pleasantly  the 
scheme  goes  on,  and  how  little  of  the  wormwood  of 
domestic  jealousies,  or  th'e  fretting  prickle  of  neigh- 
bor criticisms  seems  to  interfere  with  it.  one  is  led 
to  inquire  why  the  benevolent  practice  is  so  com- 
mon there,  and  so  rare  in  England,  and  also  so 
pleasant  there  and  so  difficult  here.  The  first 
reason  that  presents  itself  is,  that  in  England  we 
have  not  an  abundance  of  food  and  of  unoccupied 
room,  but  in  America  it  is  different,  for,  according 
to  the  burden  of  a  song  sung  by  the  colored  orphans 
in  their  asylum  at  New  York, — 

"  Uncle  Sam*  is  rich  enough 
To  give  us  all  a  farm." 

The  facility  with  which  enough,  and  more  than 
enough,  is  found  to  satisfy  every  hungry  mouth  on 
^  A  quaint  name  for  the  United  States. 


94  ADOPTED   CHILDREN. 

a  farm,  gives  wonderful  scope  to  the  benevolent 
sentiment.  Compassion  needs  but  to  well  up  at  its 
spring  in  the  heart,  and  there  is  no  counter-current 
of  prudence  to  sweep  it  away.  The  wish  can  be 
accomplished  without  a  sense  of  privation,  and  if 
the  adopted  turn  out  well,  it  becomes  all  pure  gain, 
— ^gain  in  the  exercise  of  the  affections,  in  the  pleas- 
ure which  always  arises  from  doing  a  kind  thing, 
and  in  a  fresh  hand  growing  up  to  aid  in  their  in- 
dustry. This  latter  reason,  however,  is  only  of 
weight  among  the  sons  of  labor,  who  are  quite  as 
ready  to  adopt  a  child  as  the  wealthy.  In  Britain, 
probably,  the  second  impediment  is  our  remnant  of 
feudalism — the  right  of  primogeniture,  or  the  law 
of  inheritance.  The  "heir  at  law,"  be  he  son, 
nephew,  or  cousin  ten  times  removed,  feels  that  the 
owner  holds  his  property  only  in  trust  for  himself, 
and  looks  with  a  jealous  eye  on  the  emotion  of  pity 
that  might  introduce  an  interloper  to  be  provided 
for  from  the  family  funds.  It  is  marvellous  to  ob- 
serve how  many  are  fettered  by  the  law,  and  how 
very  many  more  adopt  the  fetter  of  custom  pro- 
duced by  the  law,  and  fancy  they  act  in  the  line  of 
duty  when  they  pass  by  an  opportunity  of  kindness 
which  they  might  have  gladly  embraced,  but  that 
the  expectant  kindred  may  be  displeased. 


ADOPTED   CHILDREN.  95 

Even  when  children  are  adopted  in  England,  in- 
stances are  to  be  seen  of  reserve  among  common 
acquaintances  to  admit  them,  and  receive  them  as 
they  would  the  children  of  the  family. — A  piece  of 
injustice,  and  want  of  sympathy  with  a  benevolent 
deed  which  seems  without  motive  or  excuse. 

The  first  examples  I  saw  of  this  practice  of  adop- 
tion made  my  heart  as  full  of  glad  surprise  as  might 
be  that  of  the  mother  in  the  tribe  of  Levi,  when  the 
Princess  of  Egypt  gathered  her  babe  from  the  bul- 
rushes, and  ordered  him  to  be  nursed.  To  look  on 
a  nice  curly -headed  little  thing,  whose  parents  had 
died  of  fever,  or  in  crossing  the  ocean  from  a  far 
country,  tended  and  cared  for,  and  nestling  under  a 
kind  arm,  unconscious  that  it  was  not  a  mother's,  is 
very  charming. — To  hear  of  a  childless  pair  agree- 
ing to  go  among  the  orphans,  and  select  one  from 
the  asylum,  and  begin  their  charge  by  having  it  bap- 
tized ;  and  to  learn  that  their  brother  and  his  wife, 
who  lives  near,  are  so  taken  with  this  little  one's 
winning  ways,  that  they  are  resolved  to  have  their 
childless  home  also  enlivened,  and  have  taken  that 
orphan's  own  brother,  and  are  now  each  and  all  en- 
joying their  prize,  is  quite  delightful.- 

The  novelty  of  the  plan  led  me  to  inquire  very 
carefully  as  to  its  results,  and  the   statement  was. 


ADOPTED   CHILDREN. 


that  if  one  in  a  hundred  tired  or  failed  to  do  by  the 
adopted,  as  they  would  have  done  by  their  own,  it 
was  hut  one  in  the  hundred. 

In  the  city  of  Boston  we  found  two  excellent 
sisters,  who  not  being  able  to  gratify  their  benevo- 
lence by  assuming  the  charge  of  little  ones,  had  in- 
geniously discovered  a  mode  of  help  still  more  ex- 
tended.— Carlyle  found  it  an  unsolvable  problem 
how  to  bring  the  quantity  of  ready-made  shirts  and 
the  shirtless  together,  but  these  dear  ladies  have 
found  out  a  way  by  which  they  introduce  the  friend- 
less to  the  friendly,  and  the  fatherless  to  the  child- 
less. 

Their  monthly  publication  called  "  The  Or- 
phan's Advocate"  is  interesting,  simple,  and  truth- 
like. They  publish  the  age,  and  sex  of  the  children 
in  one  column,  and  the  places  where  children  are 
wanted  in  another,  for  example : — 

"  HOMES    FOR    CHILDREN. 

In  CurtisviUc  a  boy  will  be  adopted  ten  years  old. 

In  Leominster^  a  girl  will  be  adopted  eight  years 
old. 

In  Great  Barrington^  a  girl  will  be  adopted 
about  twelve  years  old." 

The  list  extends  to  twenty-six  ;  then  comes 


ADOPTED   CHILDREN.  97 

"  CHILDREN    NEEDING   HOMES. 

A  girl  five  years  old. 

A  boy  eleven  years  old. 

A  girl  two  years  old. 

A  boy  two  years  old. 

An  infant  girl  four  months  old ;  also  an  infant 
girl  eight  months  old  ;"  the  list  extends  to  twenty- 
eight. 

A  paragraph  unique  in  its  simplicity  and  pecu- 
liarity we  quote  as  a  perfect  curiosity  in  Great 
Britain  ;  it  and  the  above  lists  are  found  in  the 
"  Orphan's  Advocate,"  published  in  Boston,  March, 
1851. 

"  WHO    WILL    FIND    THE    CHILD. 

"  Among  the  many  good  places  for  children,  we 
know  a  superior  one  for  an  infant  boy  twenty 
months  old  to  fill  the  vacancy  left  by  the  death  of 
an  infant  of  that  age  in  a  family  of  prosperous 
people.  If  we  mistake  not  the  child  should  have 
light  eyes  and  hair  ;  an  orphan  would  be  preferred." 

The  solitary  number  of  the  Orphan's  Advocate 
within  reach,  contains  various  touching  passages  ; 
here  is  a  sample  : 

"  INFLUENCE    OF    CHILDREN. 

Many  a  ray  of  sunshine  has  a  child  shed  into  a 


98  ADOPTED   CHILDREN. 

dark  heart.  Childhood  softens  the  selfishness  of 
age,  and  bids  the  frozen  sympathies  gush  out. — 
Who  has  never  felt  that  he  had  reason  to  bless 
children  for  what  they  have  done  for  him  ? 

Many  orphans  owe  their  happy  homes  to  the  in- 
fluence of  other  children.  We  have  known  instances 
when  a  child  has  persuaded  its  parents  to  adopt  a 
little  orphan — They  have  persuaded  others  to  do 
the  same. — They  read  of  the  little  ones,  who  need 
homes,  and  they  seek  homes  for  them." 

"  children's  sympathy  for  orphans. 

Children  frequently  sympathize  deeply  with 
orphan  children.  There  are  no  objects  for  whom 
their  hearts  are  so  easily  or  deeply  enlisted.  We 
have  been  frequently  told  of  children  who  read  over 
regularly  the  list  of  children  needing  homes,  in  the 
Orphan's  Advocate,  and  manifest  great  interest  for 
them." 

These  excellent  Misses  Fellowes  enlist  the  ser- 
vices of  the  benevolent  to  "  search  out  the  children." 
Besides  having  ten  travelling  agents,  part  male  and 
part  female,  they  urge  them  not  to  overlook  the 
poor-houses.  "  Shall  we  not,"  say  they,  "  have  our 
poor-houses  emptied  of  their  young  inmates  ?  Shall 
Massachusetts,  shall  any  State  in  the  Union  bear 


ADOPTED   CHILDREN.  99 

upon  its  brow  the  curse  of  young  humanity  neglect- 
ed ?  The  older  poor  can  speak  for  themselves,  the 
younger  cannot ;  but  their  cry  goes  up  to  God,  who 
hears  and  knows,  and  who  will  recompense  good  or 
evil  to  those  who  search  out,  or  refuse  or  neglect  to 
search  out,  the  little  ones,  and  see  that  their  wants  are 
supplied."  "  Applications,  especially  for  young  chil- 
dren to  be  taken  by  adoption,  are  becoming  daily  more 
numerous."  "  Our  friends  will  need  to  be  diligent  in 
looking  up  the  destitute  little  ones,  so  that  there  may 
be  a  constant  supply  for  those  whom  this  increasing 
interest  shall  lead  to  seek  to  become  foster  parents." 

I  have  been  assured  that  the  success  of  this  plan 
is  unfailing,  and  that  its  benevolent  inventors  are 
greatly  encouraged  to  proceed. 

One  instance  of  adoption  touched  me  deeply  on 
many  accounts.  In  the  graveyard  of  the  first  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Elizabethtown,  the  monument  is 
found  which  tells  the  dismal  story  of  the  deaths  of 
Mr.  Caldwell,  once  pastor  of  that  flock,  and  of  his 
wife.  She  was  shot,  with  her  babe  in  her  arms, 
through  the  window  of  her  own  house,  by  ravening 
soldiers  in  search  of  plunder.  He  encountered  a 
similar  fate  more  than  a  year  after,  when  exerting 
himself  like  a  Christian  patriot  in  the  service  of  his 
country. 


100  ADOPTED   CHILDREN. 

Such  deeds  have  left  scars  which  are  calculated  to 
excite  national  spleen,  and  such  monuments,  records 
so  sadly  true,  aid  in  fretting  and  keeping  it  alive. 

Nine  children  were  by  these  deeds  of  cold  murder 
left  unprotected.  After  the  funeral,  the  Hon.  Elias 
Boudnot  ranged  the  bereaved  offspring  around  the 
remains  of  their  father,  and  with  that  speaking  spec- 
tacle before  the  eyes  of  a  crowd  of  mourners,  asked 
which  of  them  was  going  to  fulfil  the  divine  prom- 
ise, that  the  seed  of  the  righteous  shall  not  be  for- 
saken? which  would  embrace  the  opportunity  of 
proving  that  they  valued  their  patriotic  friend  and 
faithful  pastor  ?  which  would  from  these  forsaken 
ones  rear  citizens  worthy  of  their  parents  ?  "  For 
my  share,"  said  the  noble  man,  "  I  select  this  boy 
for  mine,  and  engage  before  you,  my  fellow-citizens, 
and  under  the  eye  of  heaven,  to  rear  and  train  him 
as  my  own  son,  and  may  our  God  give  his  blessing." 
There  was  a  solemn  pause.  Many  an  eye  brimful 
was  turned  from  the  dead  father  to  the  fatherless 
little  flock.  One  and  another  stepped  forward  and 
led  forth  an  orphan,  till  all  the  nine  foimd  parents ; 
and,  with  the  exception  of  one  unsettled  character, 
whose  act  was  that  of  fleeting  emotion,  and  not  of 
Christian  resolution,  and  who  in  a  short  time  re- 
turned the  chosen  child  to  its  friends,  no  one  failed 


ADOPTED  CHILDREN.  101 

of  their  engagements.  Nor  did  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies fail  of  his ;  they  turned  out  excellent  citizens, 
who  served  their  country,  or  who  became  the  moth- 
ers of  those  who  serve  it  now  ;  and  nearly — ^may  I 
not  say  all — came  forth  in  life  us  real  Christians, 
the  petitions  which  their  parents  left  behind  being 
answered  when  they  had  passed  by  their  stormy 
deaths  to  the  world  of  eternal  peace.  And  that  re- 
jected and  returned  one  was,  if  I  remember  right, 
the  very  one  afterwards  chosen  by  General  La  Fa- 
yette, carried  to  France,  and  furnished  with  the  most 
complete  and  accomplished  education  which  Parisian 
skill  could  offer  to  sound  ability.  He  returned  to 
do  his  country  signal  services  in  the  walks  of  liter- 
ature, piety,  and  philanthropy. 

Two  of  this  group  of  early  mourners  still  survive, 
one  of  whom  holds  an  honorable  place  in  the  Gen- 
eral Post  Office  at  Washington.  And  it  was  a  Cald- 
well of  the  third  generation  that  did  me  the  great 
kindness  to  introduce  me  to  President  Fillmore. 

No  plan  of  charity,  when  performed  in  a  right 
spirit,  seems  more  calculated  to  do  good  and  to  re- 
ceive a  blessing,  than  this.  It  is  a  feeble  imitation 
of  the  manner  of  the  Father  of  us  all ;  for  we,  fallen 
beings,  are  aliens  and  parentless  until  through  aton- 
ing mercy  and  converting  grace  we   become   the 


102  ADOPTED  CHILDREN. 

adopted  children  of  our  Grod,  and  then  we  are  par- 
takers of  his  love,  and  heirs  of  the  heavenly  inheri- 
tance. 

Doubtless  amid  the  many,  some  of  the  kind  pur- 
poses are  frustrated — some  of  the  parents  tire,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  little  Caldwell — and  some  of  the 
children  disappoint  and  wound,  but  these  cases  are 
the  exceptions. 

I  have  seen  the  parties  dwelling  harmoniously  and 
helpfully  together  ;  and  I  have  seen  the  adopted, 
in  the  old  age  of  the  adopter,  exercising  all  the  ten- 
der cherishing  that  filial  piety  could  devise.  There 
is  a  beauty  in  the  pleasing  sympathies  thus  exercised, 
for  there  is  a  blessing  on  them  from  on  high. 


(CnlUgiutB  Itlinnlsi. 

Though  the  engagements  of  past  years  led  me 
more  to  concern  myself  with  the  education  of  the 
working  classes,  and  the  friendless,  it  was  impossible 
to  dwell  among  the  cultivated  and  refined  without 
being  desirous  of  learning  somewhat  of  the  plant 
by  which  they  had  been  educated. 

Most  of  the  Female  Institutes  seem  to  be  under 
the  guidance  of  men,  or  of  a  man  and  his  wife,  when 
it  is  understood  that  most  of  the  solid  parts  of  in- 
struction are  conducted  by  the  head  of  the  house. 
This  is  a  plan  not  followed  in  i]ngland,  and  in  vari- 
ous cases,  when  a  husband  happens  to  be  in  exist- 
ence, he  is  generally  felt  to  be  an  incumbrance  to 
the  household  rather  than  an  assistant.  Professors 
who,  it  is  presumed,  are  well  qualified  to  teach  the 
one  object  of  their  pursuit,  attend  at  stated  hours 
with  us.  But,  judging  by  advertisements,  it  would 
seem  that  husband  and  wife  teach  and  manage  in 
unison  all  over  the  United  States.     It  is  customary 


104  COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS. 

to  deliver  lectures  on  Astronomy,  Botany,  Chemistry, 
&c.,  to  the  pupils  in  both  countries,  and  it  is  possible 
that  some  expansion  of  mind  is  thus  obtained,  even 
when  no  real  thirst  for  knowledge  induces  the  pu- 
pils to  follow  up  the  subjects  by  private  study. 

In  some  of  the  Female  Institutes  in  America,  a 
plan  is  pursued  which,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Normal  School  students,  has  not  yet  been  adopted 
in  Britain,  within  my  knowledge.  The  students 
"  graduate"  after  strict  examination  on  various 
branches  of  learning — a  useful  and  important  mark 
of  a  certain  degree  of  attainment,  the  absence  of 
which  is  often  felt  with  us  on  occasion  of  selecting 
teachers.  The  graduating  is  by  no  means  a  nominal 
or  slight  affair,  but  is  accomplished  only  on  the  can- 
didate being  able  to  meet  a  searching  inquiry  into 
her  attainments. 

Nevertheless,  as  it  happens  at  home,  persons 
whose  previous  education  and  habits  have  not  been 
calculated  to  fit  them  for  the  office,  and  whose  chief 
qualification  is  present  misfortune,  frequently  as- 
sume the  office  of  instructors.  In  consequence  it  at 
times  occurs  that  the  benevolence  pf  parents  inter 
feres  with  their  judgments  in  the  choice  of  a  school ; 
and  sometimes  a  dash  of  romance  or  pathos,  or  ele- 
gance of  manner,  carries  the  day  against  substantial 


COI>LEGIATE   SCHOOLS.  105 

attainments  and  conscientious  industrious  instruc- 
tion. One  leanis  in  every  country  to  defide  "  pic- 
turesquisli"  programmes,  and  to  fear  the  solid  in- 
struction of  strings  of  young  ladies  who  are  carried 
about  to  fashionable  lectures  and  evening  concerts. 

To  have  judged,  by  the  unsteady  attendance  at 
school,  and  the  little  solicitude  observable  among 
the  young  people  about  preparing  for  their  classes, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  wilful  speeches,  such  as,  "  Ma- 
ma, I  don't  feel  like  studying  French  any  more  ;" 
or,  "  Ma,  I  am  going  to  drop  mathematics,  they  are 
so  tiresome  ;"  one  would  suppose  there  are  many  im- 
perfectly educated  women.  But  meet  them  grown 
up,  engaged  in  the  useful  pursuits  of  life,  and  you 
will  find  well-informed,  cultivated,  refined  minds, 
strong  in  their  sense  of  right  and  pursuit  of  duty. 
Ask  them  of  their  early  years  and  you  will  find  they  , 
were  nearly  as  idle  as  their  children  seem  to  be,  and 
then  you  must  draw  the  conclusion  that  their  wilful- 
ness is  only  seeming  or  vanquished  while  it  is  yet 
time,  and  that  they  acquire  as  much  amid  their 
springy,  vivid  ways  as  we  do  in  our  more  sedate  and 
careful  fashion. 

The  means  of  education  extend  continually  with 
the  need  of  it.  Yet  as  food,  shelter,  and  clothing 
form  the  most  imperative  necessaries  of  life,  each 


106  COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS. 


new  settlement  must  first  secure  these,  leaving  the 
mental  and  spiritual  supplies  to  lag  behind,  and 
overtake  these  as  they  best  may.  Taking  pity  on  the 
uninstructed  condition  of  the  settlers  around  them, 
some  young  gentlemen  have  begun  to  give  an  hour 
or  two  of  evening  teaching  to  their  young  neighbors. 
Some  have  employed  themselves  during  the  winter 
months  in  that  benevolent  exercise.  Some  have  col- 
lected Sabbath-schools,  and  in  a  few  cases,  the  log 
school-house  has  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  church, 
where,  at  last  when  the  population  thickens,  a  church 
is  erected,  a  minister  of  Christ  appears,  and  next 
comes  the  colporteur-  with  his  load  of  good  books, 
and  a  library  is  formed.  How  sound  is  the  patriot- 
ism, how  true  the  benevolence  which,  amidst  the 
earnest  pursuits  of  present  advantage,  step  aside 
from  the  tumult  and  the  cares  of  life  to  enter  on 
such  engagements  as  these  !  And  how  happy  the 
man  who  falls  on  that  era  of  his  new  district's  culti 
vation  which  enables  him  to  be  the  founder  of  use 
ful  institutions,  which  will  continue  to  bless  the  land 
when  he  is  resting  from  his  labors  !  His  stock-in- 
trade  for  this  kind  of  usefulness  need  not  be  bril- 
liancy of  genius,  nor  high  attainment,  but  simply 
common  sense,  with  some  power  of  arrangement, 
and  a   heart  to  love  his  neighbor. 


COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS.  107 

It  is  not  for  me  to  tell  of  college  halls  and  pro- 
fessors. The  names  of  the  first,  and  the  faces  or 
writings  of  many  of  the  others,  are  familiar  to  stu- 
dents in  Britain,  yet  it  is  pleasant  to  recall  the 
shades  of  Yale,  the  more  than  half  venerable  aspect 
of  a  portion  of  its  numerous  edifices — the  extent 
and  excellent  order  of  its  museum — the  counte- 
nances of  learned  men,  and  their  portraits  in  its 
picture  gallery,  and  the  interest  excited  by  the  liv- 
ing men  who  study  and  walk  its  academic  groves. 
The  hours  "passed  at  Princeton  also,  amid  the  cour- 
tesies and  hospitalities  of  the  venerable  Dr.  Alex- 
ander, are  amongst  the  hoarded  gems  of  memory. — 
A  powerful  interest  hangs  around  that  aged  man  so 
true  of  heart,  so  distinct  of  mind,  so  affable  of  man- 
ner. He  is  full  of  Christian  sympathies,  and  ready 
to  communicate,  so  that  you  require  but  to  put  an 
inquiry  and  he  flows  out  whether  the  subject  be  a 
thing  of  sixty  years  since  or  of  yesterday,  and  it  is 
your  own  fault  if  you  are  not  the  wiser  for  his  com- 
munings. Perhaps  others  may  have  remarked, 
what  added  much  to  the  interest  that  cleaves  to  the 
demeanor  of  this  excellent  gentleman — his  strong 
resemblance  to  Wilberforce.  Though  much  more 
bulky,  yet  the  figure  is  like  that  of  a  twin-brother. 
— His  manner  of  sitting  in  his  easy  chair,  of  speak- 


108  COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS. 

ing,  of  smiling,  and  above  all  his  ready  way  of  giv- 
ing information,  and  his  edifying  Christian  remarks, 
showed  a  resemblance  both  in  the  mould  and  in  the 
jewel  within.* 

Princeton !  with  its  troops  of  busy  students, 
with  its  historical  memorials  of  battles,  showing 
still  with  pride  the  frame,  now  encircling  a  portrait 
of  Washington,  but  once  occupied  by  a  portrait  of 
George  II.,  which  was  hit  by  a  cannon-ball  in  the 
hall  where  it  hung. — Princeton,  with  its  lecture- 
rooms,  and  libraries,  and  above  all,  with  its  row  of 
monuments,  over  the  tombs  of  departed  presidents, 

*  How  touchingly  are  those  remembrances  deepened  in 
pathos  by  the  tidings  just  arrived,  that  the  Patriarch  is 
with  Abraham  and  Moses,  and  all  the  prophets,  in  glory. 
It  is  true  he  has  reached  the  consummation  of  his  faith  and 
hope,  but  then  his  family  have  lost  him — his  students  have 
lost  him.  Princeton  will  see  his  face  no  more.  The  church 
will  never  again  appeal  to  his  wisdom  and  experience. 
America  must  number  him  with  her  patriots,  and  heroes, 
and  divines,  who  have  departed — and  I  a  passing  stranger, 
while  I  prize  the  more  the  privilege  of  having  seen  him, 
feel  .but  the  more  keenly,  that  the  anticipated  "  passing 
away,"  has  begun.  One  leaves  a  country  where  admira- 
tion, respect,  and  love  have  been  awakened,  with  the  con- 
viction that  we  shall  see  the  faces  of  most  of  these  estima- 
ble persons  no  more;  and  that  while  one's  own  life  lasts, 
the  tidings  will  come  ever  and  anon,  that  one  and  another 
has  entered  into  rest,  and  left  ourselves  and  the  world  the 
poorer. 


COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS.  109 

amongst  whom  lie  Witherspoon  and  Edwards. — 
Princeton  seems  to  surpass  most  spots  in  that 
young  country  in  its  claims  to  classic  veneration. 
It  is  a  gratification  not  to  be  forgotten,  to  have  seen 
and  heard  the  dwellers  there,  and  to  have  trodden 
their  familiar  pathways  ;  but  they  liave  been  de- 
scribed many  times  already. 

Colleges  multiply  rapidly,  and  seem  pretty  fairly 
dispersed  over  the  face  of  the  country.  In  1800 
there  were  only  twenty-five.  Drs.  Reed  and  Math- 
eson,  in  1835,  found  ninety-six  colleges,  and  nine 
thousand  and  thirty-two  students.  Dr.  Baird,  in 
1851,  stated  before  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  in 
London,  that  the  number  of  colleges  in  the  United 
States  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  twenty.  That 
these  suffice  for  the  wants  of  so  wide  a  dominion,  or 
that  they  are  all  equally  sound  in  principle,  or  suc- 
cessful in  teaching,  cannot  be  said  ;  yet  the  zeal  and 
energy  which  has  raised  so  many  seminaries  of 
learning,  some  even  in  districts  which  are  scarcely 
cleared  of  the  forest,  and  where  the  raising  of  bread 
requires  the  first  efi'ort,  proves  that  some  members 
of  the  community  feel  keenly  the  intellectual  and 
spiritual  wants  of  the  country.  It  is  also  very 
striking  to  observe,  that  however  little  it  was  im- 
pressed on  the  minds  of  some  founders  of  theso 


no  COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS. 

seminaries,  that  they  ought  to  be  vehicles  for  con- 
veying Christian  views  to  their  alumni,  yet  nearly 
the  whole  of  them  have  so  far  yielded  to  the  princi- 
ples which  touch  conscience  and  control  thought,  as 
to  accept  of  religious  teaching. 

It  has  been  remarked,  that  of  the  three  colleges 
whose  founders  openly  repudiated  revealed  truth 
and  Christian  principle  from  their  scheme,  two  of 
them  have  already  been  glad  to  adopt  the  opinions 
they  have  contemned,  as  the  only  method  by  which 
they  could  rule  their  students,  and  guide  their  pro- 
fessors. Shut  their  eyes  as  they  may  against  the 
sight  of  the  divine  economy  which  is  established 
for  the  restoration  of  an  apostate  world,  yet  they 
are  made  to  feel  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come, 
and  the  workings  of  a  spiritual  kingdom  within  and 
aroimd  them  which  they  cannot  shake  off.  Cooper's 
College,  in  South  Carolina,  and  Jeiferson's,  in  Vir- 
ginia, are  of  those  marked  with  the  stigma  of  "  no 
religion,"  yet  they  have  been  gradually  led  to  ad- 
mit religious  Professors  as  their  teachers,  and  have 
thereby  found  good  order  and  peace  much  promoted. 

It  was  very  pleasing,  in  looking  over  the  long 
rows  of  orphan  boys  in  the  Girard  College,  at 
Philadelphia,  to  know  that  the  purpose  of  the  man 
who  left  his  gold  (for  he  could  carry  nothing  away 


COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS.  Ill 

with  him)  for  their  benefit,  had  been  so  far  frus- 
trated. 

His  very  magnificent  marble  halls,  which,  accord- 
ing to  his  last  will  and  testament,  are  not,  on  any 
pretence  whatever,  to  be  polluted  by  the  footstep 
of  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  were  in  the  first  in- 
stance placed  under  the  control  of  an  excellent 
lawyer  who  resigned  his  seat  on  the  bench,  that  he 
might  bring  Christian  verities  before  those  orphans. 
It  is  pleasant  to  think  of  that  holy  man's  exertions, 
of  his  reading  the  word  of  God,  and  of  his  prayers 
in  those  noble  halls  where  it  was  designed  they 
should  be  prohibited, — of  his  regular  family  wor- 
ship there,  and  his  oral  instruction  of  those  lively 
and  promising  young  people — and  now,  though  cir- 
cumstances have  led  to  his  resignation  of  that 
onerous  position,  his  commencement  has  left  an  in- 
fluence behind  him  stronger  than  that  of  him  who 
held  and  who  bequeathed  the  gold. 

There  is  something  in  the  soul  of  man,  be  it 
superstition  if  you  will,  that  readily  adopts  an  im- 
pression of  interference  from  the  invisible  world  in 
the  case  of  any  daring  transgressor.  People,  to 
this  day,  shake  the  head  and  tell  gravely  or  fear- 
fully how  Grierson  of  Lagg,  the  bloody  persecutor 
of    the   Dumfrieshire    and   Galloway   covenanters, 


112  COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS. 

could  not  get  carried  to  his  grave — how  the  hearse 
three  times  broke  down,  and  how  the  people  trem- 
bled at  the  token,  and  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to 
touch  it.  It  may  have  been  a  similar  connection 
with  the  recollection  of  poor  Girard's  ostentatious 
working  of  his  garden  in  sight  of  church-goers — 
the  Sabbath  being  the  only  day  of  the  week  on 
which  he  assumed  the  hoe  and  rake — that  produced 
this  curious  paragraph  from  the  Philadelphia  cor- 
respondent of  the  New  York  Tribune :  "  On  the 
night  that  the  remains  of  Stephen  G-irard  were  dis- 
interred and  conveyed  to  the  undertaker's  resi- 
dence, previous  to  being  deposited  in  Girard  Col- 
lege, the  cofl&n  was  to  be  opened  in  the  presence  of 
several  persons.  As  they  were  about  removing  the 
lid,  a  slight  explosion  was  heard  and  combustible 
gas  escaped  from  the  inner  case.  No  damage  re- 
sulted, however,  except  a  slight  scorching  of  the 
coffin-lid.  It  is  not  known  whether  the  fear  of 
ghosts  had  anything  to  do  with  it,  but  it  is  certain 
that  the  occurrence  caused  the  room  to  be  vacated 
in  the  shortest  possible  time  !" 

It  is  earnestly  to  be  desired,  whatever  may  have 
been  the  designs  of  the  founders,  that  all  such  in- 
stitutions may  be  overruled  to  train  up  citizens  to 
fear  God  and  hate  evil. 


COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS.  113 

It  has  been  well  for  America,  and  its  effects  are 
visible  on  her  educational  institutions  up  to  this 
hour,  that  her  "  world's  gray  Fathers"  were  not  ad- 
venturers in  search  of  wealth,  but  men  of  wisdom 
in  search  of  liberty  of  conscience.  In  the  earliest 
settlement  of  the  New  England  Colonies,  laws  were 
enacted  by  which  all  townships  were  obliged  to 
secure  education  to  their  young  members.  In 
cases  where  no  government  aid,  or  contribution 
from  the  mother  country  could  be  obtained,  indi- 
vidual zeal  and  learning  have  wrestled  with  diffi- 
culty in  a  manner  alike  surprising  and  honorable. 

Dr.  A.  Alexander's  history  of  the  "  Log  College," 
which  the  senior  William  Tennant  commenced  du- 
ring his  ministry  at  Neshaming,  N.  J.,  gives  a  lively 
view  of  what  may  be  accomplished  single-handed  j 
and  the  galaxy  of  holy  pastors  who  issued  from  that 
humble  edifice  to  bless  the  land,  and  to  co-operate 
with  Whitefield  in  his  lifc-brmging  labors,  was  an 
enlightening  to  the  State,  and  a  rich  reward  to^the 
founder.  The  "  Log  College,"  like  its  founder,  has 
passed  away,  and  given  place  to  grander  buildings 
and  more  dignified  staffs  of  professors  ;  but  the  mark 
of  its  vital  piety,  which  shook  the  dead  ministers  and 
the  formal  worshippers  from  their  sloth,  remains  and 
continues  to  descend  to  the  present  generation. 

Some  Colleges  are  founded  and  sustained  entirely 


114  COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS. 

by  particular  denominations — such  as  Princeton, 
which  is  Presbyterian ;  New  Brunswick,  which  is 
Dutch  Reformed.  Others  derive  some  aid  from  the 
State  ;  for  example,  Cambridge  at  Boston,  and  Yale 
at  New  Haven,  which  are  both  congregational  in  gov- 
ernment ;  but  I  fear  Cambridge  is  Unitarian  in 
faith. 

States  often  found  Universities  ;  as  in  Virginia, 
North  and  South  Carolina,  Vermont,  Michigan,  &c. 
&c.  But  the  State  Institutions  are  not  always 
found  to  be  the  best,  and  often  meet  with  difficulties 
in  the  management.  The  General  Government 
grants  lands  to  the  new  States  for  Colleges  and 
Common  Schools,  so  that  they  are  provided  with  the 
means  of  instruction  from  their  commencement, 
though  to  arrange  the  machinery,  and  to  set  it 
agoing,  often  requires  an  impulse  from  intelligent 
benevolence. 

An  experiment  has  been  tried  in  a  few  of  the 
Western  Establishments,  which  is  thought  by  those 
most  conversant  with  them,  to  work  prosperously — 
the  combination  of  manual  labor  with  study  ;  giving 
three  hours  a  day  to  printing,  cabinet  work,  or  farm- 
ing. Lane  Seminary,  near  Cincinnati,  which  could 
receive  a  hundred  young  men,  is  the  scene  where  this 
novel  plan  seems  to  have  most  prospered.  But 
in  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  New  York,  plans  nearly 


COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS.  115 

similar  are  pursued,  but  with  vaaying  success.  Many 
reasons  concur  to  make  this  a  most  suitable  plan  in 
a  certain  condition  of  society,  especially  for  preparing 
missionaries  and  ministers  for  new  and  rough  set- 
tlements. The  very  great  majority  of  those  to  whom 
Mie  gospel  is  to  be  preached,  are  not  persons  of  re- 
fined manners,  but  such  as  earn  their  daily  bread  by 
daily  toil.  When  a  young  man  of  good  natural 
powers  amongst  them  comes  under  strong  religious 
impressions,  and  desires  to  become  a  teacher  of  his 
brethren,  on  the  old  plan  of  all  study  he  is  exposed 
to  loss  of  health  by  a  complete  overturn  of  his  early 
habits,  and  is  probably  by  his  new  pursuit  reduced 
to  a  state  of  dependence  ;  whereas,  on  the  manual 
labor  plan,  he  secures  three  hours  of  exercise,  and 
nearly,  if  not  entirely,  supports  himself.  His  hours 
of  study  will  be  all  the  more  vigorous,  that  his  hours 
of  relaxation  have  been  usefully  employed  ;  and  his 
manners,  he  being  a  Christian,  will  not  be  in  any 
degree  roughened  by  such  an  engagement.  If  some 
of  our  own  students  had  such  means  of  aiding  them- 
selves, we  should  not  have  so  many  enter  their  min- 
isterial lives  enfeebled  by  unrelaxed,  and  perhaps 
poorly  fed  years  of  study  ;  neither  would  they  enter 
on  their  rustic  charges  less  honored,  or  less  suited  to 
encounter  country  hardships. 


116  COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS. 

On  Long  Island  I  met  with  a  Missionary  whose 
scene  of  toil  had  been  for  some  years  among  the 
new  settlers  in  Ohio.  He  talked  of  going  from  one 
preaching  station  to  another  on  foot,  leaping  from 
one  knob  of  solid  ground  to  another  in  a  morass, 
and  of  being  wet  through  when  he  reached  his  post, 
with  no  prospect  of  dry  raiment,  except  as  the  wet 
steamed  up  from  his  person  before  a  huge  fire.  And 
when  he  asked  if  he  could  have  some  hot  tea,  the  mis- 
tress disappeared  in  the  wood,  and  presently  returned 
with  a  lapful  of  herbs,  which  she  infused  in  boiling 
water  and  gave  him  to  drink.  Her  husband  not 
having  got  home  from  the  distant  mill,  she  could 
not  make  him  a  cake  ;  and  indeed  the  shrunk,  bald 
old  man  might  have  been  painted  for  Shakspeare's 
starving  apothecary.  Had  his  years  of  preparation 
been  passed  in  the  luxuries  of  College  halls,  he 
would  have  endured  this  very  hard  life  much  worse 
than  he  did.  He  spoke  of  having  rejoiced  to  find 
a  nook  beside  the  blazing  hearth  of  two  active  young 
men  who  welcomed  him  and  his  message,  the  descrip- 
tion of  whose  menage  is  strange  to  those  unused  to 
the  hardships  encountered  during  the  first  season 
by  settlers  in  the  "  Far  West."  Their  large  log 
dwelling  had  two  doors  opposed  to  each  other  near 
the  end  where  was  the  fire-place.     When  they  wish- 


COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS.  117 

ed  to  replenish  their  wide  hearth,  they  felled  and 
stript  a  tree  of  its  branches  and  yoked  a  horse  to  it, 
which  drew  it  to  the  proper  centre  of  the  fire-place, 
where  the  chain  was  taken  off,  and  it  was  left  to  be 
consumed  at  leisure  with  the  help  of  its  lopped 
branches,  the  horse  making  his  way  out  by  the  other 
door  ! 

Some  of  the  Home  Missionaries  endure  equal 
privations  and  hardships  with  those  who  expose 
themselves  on  foreign  shores  and  in  savage  islands, 
without  the  eclat  and  sympathy  which  accompany 
the  foreign  missionary,  and  without  being  so  well 
provided  for.  Here  was  a  specimen.  One  could 
not  but  look  with  reverence  on  the  hoary-headed 
and  weather-beaten  man  whose  heart,  full  of  the  in- 
visible treasure,  could  not  rest  unless  he  might,  by 
many  a  toilsome  effort,  convey  that  treasure  to  the 
ignorant  and  famishing. 

But  while  a  nation  extended  and  varied  as 
America  is,  has  much  use  for  manual  labor  Stu- 
dents, and  while  these  are  as  well  read  in  divinity, 
and,  having  the  first  grand  essential  of  being  them- 
selves regenerated  men — as  competent  teachers  as 
others,  it  does  not  prevent  those  who  have  means 
and  appliances  from  embracing  a  more  extended 
range  of  study,  or   from   exercising   architectural 


118  COLLEGIATE  SCHOOLS. 

taste  and  raising  beautiful  buildings  at  many  of 
their  seats  of  learning.  Of  these,  the  most  beau- 
tiful— one  wing  of  which  is  not  yet  finished — is  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  at  Washington.  It  has 
been  erected  by  the  bequeathed  wealth  of  Mr. 
Smithson,  an  Englishman,  whose  generous  wish  was 
to  place  a  magnificent  library,  museum,  gallery  of 
paintings,  geographical  and  chemical  apparatus,  to- 
gether with  a  noble  lecture-room  within  reach  of 
the  statesmen  of  the  great  Republic.  The  gold  of 
the  edifice  is  English,  but  the  art  American.  Two 
chambers  which  are  finished  and  occupied,  are  said 
to  be  in  the  style  of  the  Escurial,  and  are  hand- 
some and  perfect  in  their  beauty.  Mr.  James 
Renwick,  the  rising  architect,  calls  the  order  pure 
Norman ;  it  does  certainly,  not  come  within  any  of 
the  old  Greek  orders  of  architecture,  and  if  Nor- 
man be  its  name  it  is  very  fine.  The  rich  mellow 
lilac -brown  of  the  stone,  contrasting  finely  with  the 
noble  gray  base  and  white  superstructure  of  the 
Capitol  and  the  rather  weather-stained  marble  of 
the  Post  Office  and  the  White  House. 

The  Professors  in  all  Colleges  are  appointed  by 
trustees,  whether  they  be  endowed  by  their  States  or 
by  private  benevolence,  and  scholarships  are  frequent, 
as  they  are  at  Oxford  or  Cambridge,  and  as  bursaries 


COLLEGIATE   SCHOOLS.  119 

are  in  Scotland.     They  are  usually  the  result  of 
private  and  Christian  munificence. 

It  would  seem  that  all  the  world  over,  study  and 
learning  do  not  form  the  path  to  wealth,  and  those 
who  wish  to  encourage  learning  and  literature  must 
give  of  their  abundance  to  fill  the  student's  lamp, 
and  to  cheer  him  in  his  pursuit,  which,  while  it 
possesses  hidden  delights,  scarcely  furnishes  the 
necessaries  of  life. 


Amongst  the  many  errors  which  are  corrected 
by  closer  intercourse  with  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  one  of  the  most  prominent  is  the  general 
impression  received  in  England  of  their  tendency 
to  boasting.  Their  high  animal  spirits  which  in- 
duce them  to  express  the  very  same  self-approving 
sentiments  which  we  may  entertain,  although  we 
prudently  keep  them  secret ; — their  lively  emotions, 
whether  of  patriotism,  friendship,  or  domestic  aflfec- 
tion,  which  are  played  on  as  the  bosom  of  a  lake  is 
played  on  by  zephyr,  while  ours  are  deep  and  still 
except  when  moved  to  strong  and  resolute  expres- 
sion ; — their  sanguine  temperament  so  buoyant  and 
hopeful ; — these  give  birth  to  utterances  which  may 
occasionally  wear  the  air  of  boasting,  but  examine 
them  narrowly  and  you  will  find  it  is  not  so.  The 
gasconading  which  derives  its  name  from  Gascony, 
is  the  true  bragging.  It  tells  grand  tales  of  what 
it  has  done,  and  to  magnify  itself,  paints,  magnifies, 


THE   CHURCHES.  121 

or  Tnakes  the  self-glorifying  story  rather  than  do 
without  it.  The  American  so-called  boasting,  arises 
from  a  natural  sensibility  to  successes.  It  is  the 
joy  of  victory,  the  triumph  of  achieved  indepen- 
dence. It  has  warmed  the  heart  before  it  flowed 
out  from  the  tongue. 

When  a  sprightly,  polite,  benevolent  young  guide, 
to  whose  courtesies  we  owed  much  in  exploring  the 
city  of  Boston  and  its  beautiful  environs,  rushed 
forth  in  a  tide  of  exultation  as  he  pointed  out  the 
fine  monument  to  those  patriots  who  perished  in 
the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill ; — when  he  related  how 
the  English  army  had  made  the  song  and  air  of 
"  Yankee  Doodle,"  and  were  used  to  cast  it  forth  in 
scorn  against  the  unregimentalled  patriots,  who 
fought  not  for  pay  but  for  independence  ; — when  he 
cracked  his  whip  in  triumph  as  he  told  that  when 
the  invaders  were  routed,  the  American  band  took 
up  the  strain  and  marched  to  possess  themselves  of 
the  enemy's  forsaken  posts,  to  the  mocking  tune  of 
Yankee  Doodle,  and  concluded  with,  "  That  is  how 
the  tune  has  been  adopted  as  our  national  quick- 
step ever  since."  Could  any  one  that  had  a  heart 
see  and  hear  him,  and  apply  to  his  emotions  such  a 
term  as  boasting  ?  Nay,  it  was  impossible  even  to 
remind  him  that  we   belonged  to  the    discomfited 


122  THE   CHURCHES. 


side,  or  to  feel  anything  but  sympathy  with  his  glad- 


Yet  it  is  not  joy  in  the  past,  it  is  expectation  for 
the  future,  to  which  the  accusation  of  boasting  is 
chiefly  applied.  Their  position  is  progressive,  their 
circumstances  are  encouraging,  and  Hope  is  the 
master  passion  of  the  whole  nation.  They  seem 
incapable  of  entertaining  a  desponding  or  alarmed 
view  of  any  circumstance.  When  the  fate  of  the 
fine  "  Atlantic"  steamer  was  for  so  many  anxious 
weeks  veiled  from  the  deeply  interested  multitude, 
it  was  amazing  to  hear  people,  in  the  face  of  all 
manner  of  probable  misfortunes,  express  conviction 
that  the  good  ship  and  her  people,  and  even  her 
cargo,  were  all  safe.  If  some  of  those  who  profess 
faith  in  "  clairvoyance^^^  consulted  a  modern  witch 
of  Endor  on  the  subject,  and  the  oracle  was  favor- 
able, it  was  handed  about  with  great  cheerfulness. 
If,  however,  she  saw  a  wreck  on  the  African  coast, 
or  a  ship  burned  to  the  water's  edge,  and  three  for- 
lorn men,  one  of  them  of  huge  proportions,  and  still 
undaunted  bearing,  preparing  a  slip  of  paper  to  be 
sealed  up  in  a  bottle ;  the  consulters  turned  off  in 
disdain  denying  the  witch's  skill.  They  hoped 
then,  hoped  on,  hope  always.  And 'thus,  when  they 
speak  of  their  country,  the  mind  rushes  on  to  dis- 


THE   CHURCHES.  123 

tant  lakes  and  populations,  and  prairies,  and  future 
ages,  and  instead  of  being  bounded  by  the  great 
things  already  achieved,  they  tell  of  what  they  shall 
achieve.  We  say  they  prophesy, — we  -ought  to  say 
they  hope.  We  say  they  boast ! — we  ought  still  to 
say  they  hope.  It  seems  easier  to  extinguish  in 
them  the  torch  of  life,  than  that  of  hope. 

To  this  great  principle  in  the  Christian  commu- 
nity does  the  church  owe  much  of  its  vigorous  effort 
at  extension.  Hope  animates  to  energetic  endeavor 
and  vivid  exertion.  The  faithful  advance  coura- 
geously, feeling  that  the  deep  and  permanent  wants 
of  the  human  heart  meet  their  efforts,  and  that  the 
high  objects  which  they  present,  have  power  alike  to 
arrest  and  influence  the  aged  and  the  little  one. 

The  emblem  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  endeared 
to  us  by  years  of  oppression  and  persecution,  during 
which  its  fitness  has  been  verified,  is  the  "  bush  burn- 
ing, yet  not  consumed."  The  Motto  of  the  Church 
in  the  United  States  might  fitly  be,  "  We  are  saved 
by  hope."  Its  whole  existence  is  a  history  of  the 
pulsations  of  hope,  urging  onward  to  more  extended 
effort,  and  more  strenuous  exertion.  It  is  not  of  its 
nature  to  say,  "  This  city  is  so  crowded,  that  we 
must  leave  it  alone,  we  can  make  no  impression  on 
it."     On  the  contrary,  a  church  that  is  awake  and 


124  THE   CHURCHES. 

alive  will  observe,  "Here  is  a  district  beyond  us, 
filling  up  with  a  population  who  have  no  religious 
ordinances  :  let  us  draft  off  two  of  our  elders,  and  a 
few  of  our  influential  Christian  families — let  the 
people  be  visited  and  invited  to  a  prayer-meeting  in 
a  convenient  place — let  us  offer  them  the  means — 
let  us  set  them  the  example — ^let  us  set  about  it 
noiv  with  prayer  for  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit. — Does  the  pastor  quail  under  the  separation 
from  some  of  his  steadfast  people  1  Does  he  say, 
How  can  I  do  without  you  ?  How  can  I  spare  so 
many  pillars  and  props  from  my  spiritual  edifice  ? 
Nay,  he  says,  "  Go  my  friends,  it  is  a  Christian  enter- 
prise, it  is  our  Master's  work.  I  will  lend  you  help 
as  time  and  strength  may  serve,  and  we  all  shall  fol- 
low you  with  our  prayers."  So  armed  and  encour- 
aged they  go.  The  nucleus  gathers  around  it  a  few 
of  the  sober-minded  inhabitants  of  the  new  district. 
The  success  of  the  enterprise  becomes  interesting  to 
them,  as  well  as  to  those  who  came  there  and 
opened  the  scheme.  In  a  year  they  have  filled  the 
district  school-house,  and  have  regular  worship.  In 
two  years  they  have  erected  a  becoming  edifice,  and 
got  a  pastor  settled,  and  all  the  influences  of  a  well- 
worked  Christian  system  are  brought  to  bear  on  the 
neighborhood. 


THE   CHURCHES.  125 

Here  it  is  a  city  population  that  is  spoken  of,  but, 
allowing  for  the  difference  of  a  fewer  and  more 
scattered  people, — the  process  in  the  country  is 
nearly  similar,  reminding  us  of  the  manner  in  which 
a  bulbous  root  propagates  itself,  swelling  and  push- 
ing out  fresh  bulbs  on  either  side.  This  method  of 
church  extension  is  employed  by  the  various  bodies 
of  Presbyterians.  The  Methodists  and  Baptists, 
whose  communion  rolls  are  numerically  stronger, 
use  similar  methods.  They  are  not  equal  in  in- 
fluence and  steadfastness  to  the  Presbyterians  if  we 
embrace  under  that  name  all  the  fragments  which 
rest  on  the  presbyterian  foundation.  The  colored 
population  are  more  generally  united  with  the  Bap- 
tist and  Methodist  bodies — and  their  status  in 
American  Society  and  degree  of  intellectual  culti- 
vation, necessarily  place  them  in  a  lower  grade  with 
regard  to  influence ;  so  that  though  the  Baptists 
have  nine  thousand  and  eighteen  churches,  and  the 
Presbyterians  only  five  thousand  six  hundred  and 
seventy-two,  yet  the  latter  are  the  more  powerful 
body. 

The  Episcopal  Church,  which  the  English  would 
expect  to  be  first  and  greatest,  has  only  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  sixty  churches  and  twenty- 
eight  bishops.     It  loses  much  in  a  country  consti 


126  THE   CHUBCHES. 

tuted  like  the  United  States,  by  its  habit  of  stand- 
ing aloof  from  other  denominations,  and  fails  in  the 
more  expanded  exercise  of  Christian  love  which 
would  be  called  into  play  if  it  were  substituted  for 
the  cold  formal  exclusiveness  in  which  the  majority 
of  the  congregations  encase  themselres. 

One  is  at  a  loss  to  explain  the  sectarian  trammels 
in  which  episcopacy  seems  jn  all  countries  entangled. 
Not  the  high  church  party  alone  ;  the  tractarians 
or  Puseyites,  as  we  should  call  them.  Their  notions 
of  apostolic  succession,  and  baptismal  regeneration, 
account  for  their  exclusiveness ;  but  the  low  church 
party,  holy,  zealous,  and  faithful  though  they  be, 
seem  not  to  assimilate  cordially  with  other  denomi- 
nations. In  England  we  impute  this  chill  reserve 
to  their  ideas  of  the  dignity  becoming  an  established 
church,  and  to  an  idea  that  all  dissent  from  it  is 
schism  from  Christ ;  but  in  America  it  must  arise 
from  some  other  cause.  It  is  not  apostolical  succes- 
sion, neither  is  it  baptismal  regeneration,  for  the 
low  church  party  do  not  hold  such  dogmas.  Is  it 
then  the  damping  effect  of  forms  of  prayer  ?  One 
feels  much  disposed  to  come  to  that  conclusion  for 
want  of  another,  and  then  to  reason  upon  it  as  an 
effect  to  be  expected.  What  spirit  can  escape 
weariness  under  repetitions  that  must  become  mo- 


THE   CHUBCHES.  127 

notonous.  Or,  when  prayers  are  requested  for  a 
sick  member,  how  can  a  heart  surcharged  with  emo- 
tion, fail  to  feel  that  a  slender  parenthesis  to  aid 
the  importunity  of  an  anxious  spirit,  which  is  lim- 
ited to  the  "  all  sick  persons,  especially  that  one  for 
whom  our  prayers  are  desired.''''  And  one  cannot 
understand  how  such  another  poor  "  specially"  can 
serve  for  the  outpouring  of  a  request  for  '•  those  who 
travel  by  land  or  by  water," — if  it  be  the  mission- 
ary, or  the  emigrant,  or  the  one  beloved  member 
travelling  away  from  a  weeping  family,  without 
damping  or  deadening  the  sentiment. 

The  Liturgy  has  been  altered  and  much  im- 
proved in  America,  without  exhibiting  any  of  those 
alarming  results  which  seem  to  be  anticipated  in 
England  when  a  proposal  to  modify  or  in  any  way 
to  interfere  with  it  is  made.  It  might  be  a  fabric 
of  straw  on  cards,  so  great  is  the  alarm  felt  on  that 
subject.  Is  not  the  alarm  a  superstition  ?  And  if 
the  substantial  Scripture  truths  of  the  Liturgy  have 
suffered  no  injury  by  abridgment  and  verbal  alter- 
ation in  America,  why  should  they  suffer  elsewhere, 
if  managed  with  equal  judgment ;  for  example,  the 
Lord's  Prayer  is  recited  once  during  morning  and 
once  during  evening  service,  instead  of  four  or  five 
times  as  it  is  on  communion  occasions  in  England  ; 


128  THE   CHURCHES. 

and  the  "  Gloria  Patri"  is  repeated  but  once,  that 
is  after  the  last  psalm  for  the  day,  instead  of  as 
many  times  as  there  are  psalms  read.  The  verbal 
alterations  are  numerous  and  judicious,  as  well  as 
the  correction  of  all  the  ungrammatical  phrases 
which  we,  from  long  custom,  scarcely  perceive  to  be 
there. 

Upon  the  whole,  though  the  service  has  been 
much  improved,  the  disadvantage  of  being  confined 
to  one  set  form  of  words  still  remains.  Petitions 
can  never  be  adapted  to  the  subject  pressed  on  the 
soul  in  the  sermon.  May  it  not,  therefore,  check 
the  effect  of  a  preached  gospel,  and  place  the  mind 
in  the  attitude  of  feeling,  that  all  that  is  required  of 
it  has  been  done,  when  a  certain  form  of  words  has 
been  repeated  ?  This,  surely,  more  than  the  exter- 
nal government  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  is  the 
damper  which  impedes  the  flame  of  love  and  zeal, 
and  reduces  even  the  good  and  faithful  to  a  chilly 
level ;  a  level  which  has  no  power  to  vary  with  the 
ever-varying  circumstances  and  states  of  advance- 
ment of  the  people,  and  which,  therefore,  may  pluCk 
backward  the  aspiring  spirit  when  it  aims  at  a  closer 
union  with  Christ,  and  a  more  uniform  indwelling  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  That  this  is  the  experience  of 
some  of  her  most  zealous  pastors,  may  be  inferred 


THE   CHURCHES.  129 

from  the  fact,  that  in  week-day  lectures,  when  they 
have  escaped  from  the  "  consecrated"  edifice,  they 
are  apt  to  employ  extempore  prayer. 

Notwithstanding  these  anti-form-of-prayer  remarks, 
which  may  excite  displeasure  in  minds  that  are  often 
refreshed  by  the  use  of  the  Liturgy,  let  it  be  under- 
stood, that  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America  is  en- 
riched by  some  men  who  are  not  surpassed  in  holy 
zeal  and  ability  by  the  men  of  any  other  denomina- 
tion, and  that  the  feeble  soul  who  may  be  thought 
thus  rudely  or  ignorantly  to  interfere  with  their  ark 
has  many  times  found  refreshment  within  it. 

It  appears  as  if  the  confusion  of  sects,  which  is 
ever  found  where  many  minds  are  interested  in  di- 
vine truth,  resembles  •  the  confusion  of  tongues,  im- 
peding the  work  it  designs  to  promote,  and  exciting 
displeasure  and  disappointment,  where  it  ought  to 
cheer  and  harmonize.  But  in  spite  of  all  impedi- 
ments, there  is  a  spiritual  kingdom  in  this  evil 
world,  and  it  makes  progress  in  a  wonderful  manner 
in  the  very  heart  of  obstacles. 

The  world  is  exceeding  worldly, — yet  the  spiritu- 
al kingdom  rushes  into  it  and  plucks  forth  victims 
who  seemed  beyond  the  hope  of  rescue.  The  ene- 
my is  exceeding  treacherous, — but  there  are  unseen 
guards  over  the  newly-formed  subjects,  who  prevent 


130  THE   CHURCHES. 

and  preserve  them  in  their  allegiance.  The  gain- 
sayers  are  full  of  contempt  and  mocking,  but  the 
feeble  are  made  strong,  and  taught  to  stand  forth 
with  courage  as  subjects  of  the  Spiritual  Kingdom, 
and  as  advocates  to  enlist  others  under  the  Lord's 
Banner. — "  We  are  saved  by  Hope."  Well  may 
the  Church  in  any  land  say  so, — but  how  peculiarly 
may  it  be  said  where  the  man  of  sharp  speculation, 
of  far-seeing  enterprise,  or  of  keen  politics,  is  with- 
drawn from  these  which  were  his  first  objects,  and 
by  a  power  which  is  hid  from  the  wondering  world- 
ling, is  fixed  on  an  entirely  new  pursuit,  which  he 
professes  as  openly  and  follows  with  as  much  ener- 
gy as  ever  he  did  his  old  ones. 

The  frankness  and  cordiality  of  the  American  re- 
ligious professor  is  a  great  gain  to  him.  He  con- 
fides himself  to  the  sympathies  and  prayers  and  all 
the  sweet  influences  of  Christian  intercourse,  while 
we  in  Scotland  tremble  and  shrink,  and  carefully 
turn  the  bushel  over  our  little  candle,  till  its  light  is 
well  nigh  expiring  for  want  of  air.  They  commit 
themselves  to  a  consistent  walk,  for  they  empower 
all  lookers-on  to  say  whether  their  conduct  consists 
with  their  profession  or  not,  while  we  sneak  along, 
and  are  barely  suspected  to  be  perhaps  Christians. 
What  is  there  more  honoring  to  God,  or  silently 


THE   CHURCHES.  131 

admonitory  to  the  worldly,  than  the  Christian  life 
shining  as  a  light  in  the  world.  Even  Wall-street 
raised  its  head  from  its  money  calculations,  and 
said,  "  Brewster  dead  !     Ah,  then  he  is  in  heaven  !" 

That  faithful  man  had,  for  more  than  twenty  years, 
filled  honorably  his  place  in  the  Church,  and  met  his 
death  hastily  by  an  accident.  This,  the  world's  un- 
premeditated testimony  to  his  consistency,  showed 
that  he  had  been  as  a  "  city  set  upon  a  hill,"  and 
had  been  observed  by  the  careless. 

Such  a  life  is  full  of  light,  and  such  are  the  men 
who  are  sustained  for  service  by  hope,  and  who  in- 
fuse hope  into  the  bosoms  of  others.  They  press 
on,  and  exert  themselves,  for  they  are  "  saved  by 
Hope."  This  strong  power  of  hope  may,  in  some 
degree,  affect  the  settledness  of  pastors  as  well  as 
others.  It  is  not  very  rare  to.  find  a  minister  rest- 
ing for  a  year  or  two  from  the  charge  of  a  flock,  and 
occupied  in  other — sometimes  even  in  secular — en- 


When  an  enterprise  is  on  hand,  they  are  not  used 
to  regard  any  man  as  a  fixture  not  to  be  spared 
from  his  present  station.  They  draught  him  off  to 
take  charge  of  a  publication,  or  colportage,  or  new 
missionary  scheme,  feeling  that  their  best  men  are 
most  in  their  place  in  any  new  and  important  work. 


132  THE   CHURCHES. 

By  such  means  they  fill  the  eye  of  the  public,  and 
give  an  impulse  that  has  a  powerful  effect,  on  their 
first  movement  in  any  new  scheme. 

Preaching,  though  alike  in  its  aims  and  objects, 
differs  considerably  in  its  method  in  Scotland  and 
the  United  States.  We  are  doctrinal — they  experi- 
mental. We  refer  continually  to  Scripture  for 
proof — they  found  on  Scripture,  but  treat  the  hear- 
ers as  if  they  knew  the  proof  We  are  solemn  and 
objurgatory — they  solemn  and  entreating.  We 
draw  our  illustrations  from  Scripture,  and  from  past 
ages — they,  without  compromising  the  dignity  of  the 
chair,  gather  illustrations  from  the  events  of  the 
time.  We  feel  it  a  duty  to  be  textual,  and  often  to 
explain  the  connection  between  text  and  context — 
they  frequently  use  a  text  but  as  a  motto,  or  catch 
a  collateral  idea  from  it,  and  treat  that  with  great 
spirit,  as  if  it  were  the  real  subject  indicated. 

One  sometimes  longed  for  more  bibles  in  the  pews, 
and  more  calls  to  refer  to  them.  It  is  true  the 
hearers  are  quick  of  apprehension,  but  they  might  be 
the  better  of  having  the  scriptural  foundation  fixed 
more  clearly  in  their  minds.  The  more  quick  and 
impulsive,  the  more  need  of  solid  instruction.  They 
see  the  thing,  but  they  do  not  want  to  dwell  on  it. 
One  feels  as  if  "  Hall's  Contemplations,"  or  Meikle's 


THE   CHURCHES.  138 


"  Solitude  Sweetened,"  could  not  have  been  medi- 
tated by  American  minds.  What  a  spring  would  be 
made  in  the  divine  life  if  more  of  the  contemplative, 
meditative,  self-acquainting,  and  God-acquainting 
spirit  were  cultivated  by  a  people  so  lively  and  ar- 
dent. The  preachers  who  cultivate  these  may  lack 
something  in  early  popularity,  but  will  gain  in  per- 
manent weight  and  usefulness.  While  with  regard 
to  Scotch  preaching  the  remark  may  with  equal  pro- 
priety be  reversed. 

Good  specimens  of  the  "  motto"  text  were  given 
by  two  of  the  excellent  preachers  who  took  share  in 
the  New  York  winter  course  of  "  Sermons  to  Young 
Men."  Dr.  Cheever's  was,  "  Son  remember  ;"  and 
Dr.  Tyng's,  "  Kun,  speak  to  this  young  man."  By 
this  choice  they  were  left  at  liberty  to  "  remember" 
or  to  "  speak"  anything,  and  they  used  their  freedom 
skilfully  and  usefully.  Yet,  when  a  few  weeks  after 
a  religious  newspaper  mentioned  that  one  hearer  had 
ever  since  had  a  sound  in  his  ears  of,  "  Run,  speak  to 
this  young  man"  following  him  wherever  he  went, 
one  felt  a  wish  that  the  text  so  fixed  had  been  some 
thing  more  definite  and  instructive — to  say  nothing 
of  the  hasty  impulse  which  had  published  such  an 
incident.  It  was  true  the  young  man  was  haunted 
by  a  sound,  but  was  he  thereby  converted  ?  or  was 


134  THE  CHURCHES. 

the  result  certain  to  be  sound  conversion  ?  If  he 
were,  was  it  prudent  thus  to  hasten  before  the  pub- 
lic ?  Very  likely  the  avidity  of  Editors  for  news,  is 
one  reason  why  the  people  seem  such  a  "  hasty  na- 
tion," while  the  judicious  disapprove  this  haste.  This 
young  man's  spirit  of  a  sound  that  haunted  him,  re- 
minds me  strongly  of  a  letter  from  a  valued  friend, 
written  in  the  heat  and  glory  of  the  "  Great  Un- 
known's writing  the  "  Tales  of  My  Landlord."  The 
letter  ran  thus  :  "  Sir  Walter  Scott  told  me  that  he 
must  give  utterance  to  a  foolish  rhyme  that  has 
haunted  him  for  days,  hoping  thereby  to  get  rid  of 
it.     He  then  recited  with  great  force — 

'  Cuckoldy  moy,  my  boy,  my  boy, 
What  shall  I  do  to  give  thee  joy  V 

The  words  are  too  absurd,  but  they  in  my  turn 
haunt  me  in  bed  and  out  of  it,  at  work  or  at  play, 
and  I  now  write  them  to  you  instead  of  uttering 
them,  hoping  thus  to  escape  from  them  without  in- 
oculating you."  This  idle  tale  is  not  designed  to 
mock  at  the  sound  which  might  prove  the  forerunner 
of  a  salutary  change  in  the  young  man,  but  to  sug- 
gest the  imprudence  of  making  a  paragraph  about  it 
in  the  Newspaper. 

People  talk  in  England  of  the  "  aristocracy  of 


THE   CHURCHES.  135 

wealth"  in  the  United  States.  It  is  true  that  in  a 
land  so  open  to  all  manner  of  enterprise,  the  acqui- 
sition of  wealth  gives  a  man  influence,  not  only  as 
its  holder,  but  as  the  man  of  skill  who  obtained  it. 
They  who  speak  thus,  however,  have  set  their  mark 
of  aristocracy  at  a  grovelling  level.  There  is  an 
aristocracy  of  moral  worth  and  consistent  piety,  and 
an  aristocracy  of  scientific  and  philosophical  knowl- 
edge, within  whose  circle  the  "  aristocracy  of  wealth," 
without  these  higher  attributes,  can  find  no  stand- 
ing. The  faithful  and  consistent  Pastor  becomes 
the  man  of  his  circle.  His  influence  is  felt  in  his 
city  and  in  his  State.  His  presence  renders  a  pub- 
lic meeting  more  respectable  than  that  of  ten  men 
of  mere  wealth.  His  influence  as  a  chairman  will 
be  of  more  weight  than  that  of  a  "  real  live  Lord"  in 
England,  while  he  will  escape  those  complimentary 
flatteries  which  our  intelligent  aristocracy  endure  as 
best  they  may,  and  estimate  at  their  true  emptiness. 

If  a  clergyman  speaks  at  a  public  meeting  he  is 
sure  of  attentive  listening.  His  Thanksgiving  Ser- 
mon gives  the  tone  to  his  people  for  the  year.  His 
inaugural  address,  or  popular  lecture,  is  expected 
before  it  is  delivered,  and  discussed  after. 

Even  amongst  the  very  worldly  there  does  not 
seem  such  an  absence  of  the  religious  element  as  in 


136  THE   CHURCHES. 

Britain.  Religion  is  not  a  proscribed  topic.  All 
treat  it  as  a  real  thing,  and  admit  the  claims  of  their 
own  souls.  The  gay,  the  giddy,  and  the  neglectful 
seem  aware  that  they  must  undergo  a  change  before 
they  can  enter  the  kingdom.  This  may  be  imputed 
to  the  experimental  style  of  pulpit  address.  We  state 
the  principle,  and  leave  it  to  produce  its  effect ;  they 
draw  the  inference  from  the  principle,  and  dwell  on 
it  in  such  a  manner  as  to  arrest  those  who  would  not 
dwell  long  enough  on  the  subject  to  draw  it  for 
themselves.  The  solemn  deep  tone  from  a  pulpit  in 
Hartford  often  still  awakens  an  echo  in  the  cells  of 
memory, "  Hear  me  !  sinner,  hear  me  !"  and  convinces 
me  that  there  is  a  moral  power  far  overmastering 
that  of  wealth,  which  rests  at  the  root  of  American 
society. 


B  l^rntin-tiiBBting. 


There  are,  it  may  be,  "  so  many  voices  in  the 
world,  and  none  of  them  are  without  signification." 
The  lion  roareth  in  the  forest  because  he  hath  no 
prey,  and  the  young  eagles  seek  their  meat  from 
Grod.  Each  voice  is  intelligible  to  the  ear  of  the 
Creator,  but  the  most  welcome  must  be  the  voice  of 
petition  from  his  children,  conveyed  through  the 
ever-welcome  Intercessor.  How  simple  are  the 
words,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive."  Every  child 
understands,  and  acts  upon  them  daily,  in  reference 
to  its  earthly  parents.  Yet  how  difficult  for  the  heart 
to  adopt  and  act  upon  them  with  perfect  simplicity 
in  reference  to  our  Father  in  Heaven.  It  is  a  great 
thing  to  say,  "  I  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me," 
or  to  point  to  an  afflicted  neighbor  and  say,  '•  This 
poor  man  cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  him  and  saved 
him  out  of  all  his  trouble  ;"  but  this  ought  to  be, 
and  might  be,  the  experience  of  every  praying  heart, 
were  it  not  for  lurking  unbelief 


138  THE  PRAYER-MEETING. 


In  some  of  our  Scottish  prayer-meetings  I  have 
felt  a  degree  of  distraction  of  purpose,  and  want  of 
defined  object,  which  seemed  to  eat  the  soul  out  of 
the  petition.  Perhaps  an  address  on  some  passage 
of  Scripture  diverted  the  mind  of  the  leader,  so  that 
the  object  of  the  meeting  seemed  rather  to  be  in- 
struction than  petition  ;  and  thus  a  multitude  of 
vague  confessions  and  requests  which  did  not  fix  the 
heart,  destroyed  the  idea  of  a  union  for  prayer.  It 
is  true  our  wants  are  numerous  and  varied,  and  each 
petition  might  be  suited  to  the  necessities  of  some 
one  ;  but  the  mind  gathers  strength  by  fixing  on 
some  special  subject,  and  avoid  distraction  by  grasp- 
ing at  no  more  than  it  is  able  to  embrace  at  once. 

We  cannot  forget  the  solemn  meetings  of  two  or 
three  brethren  at  once  to  plead  for  direction,  or  the 
mighty  outpourings  of  some  hundreds  so  frequent 
before  the  wrench  was  made  which  severed  the  Free 
Church  of  Scotland  from  the  Church  of  its  habitual 
attachment.  We  were  in  earnest  then,  and  knew 
distinctly  what  we  wanted,  and  that  put  life  into  our 
petitions.  And  so  it  is  ever.  Defined  wants  pro- 
duce defined  prayers. 

I  have  attended  many  prayer-meetings  in  the 
United  States,  and  been  refreshed  by  the  ready  out- 
pouring of  heart  of  elders  in  various  churches.     At 


THE   PRAYER- MEETING.  139 

times  the  home  sensibilities  have  received  a  lively 
touch,  by  hearing  the  tones  and  method  of  approach 
of  a  father  from  Scotland  ;  differing  from  his  breth- 
ren in  style,  yet  the  same  in  aim,  for  there  are 
"  many  kinds  of  voices  in  the  world,  but  none  of 
them  are  without  signification,"  and  all  are  intelli- 
gible to  the  ear  of  mercy. 

The  association  for  prayer,  of  which  I  wish  to  give 
a  minute  detail  without  the  help  of  anything  except 
the  strong  impression  on  memory,  was  held  in  the 
city  of  Boston,  in  the  lecture-room  of  the  Old  South 
Church. 

That  "  Old  South"— hallowed  as  the  only  light- 
house, which  at  one  period  held  up  the  true  lamp 
of  salvation  to  that  city.  The  "  Old  South" — where 
so  many  pilgrims  have  been  guided,  and  so  many 
new-born  souls  have  made  their  first  dedication  to 
Christ.  My  heart  was  glad,  when  a  lady  to  whom  I 
carried  a  letter  of  introduction,  told  me  of  her  morn- 
ing engagement,  and  most  kindly  offered  to  introduce 
us  to  that  little  quiet  assembly. 

Eight  was  the  hour  of  meeting,  and  three  quarters 
of  an  hour  the  time  allowed,  as  the  numerous  mer- 
chants and  clerks  who  were  present  must  be  in  their 
ofl5ces  at  nine.  More  than  once  we  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  attending,  but  it  is  the  incidents  of  one 


140  THE   PRAYER-MEETING. 

morning  which  are  presented  as  a  specimen  of  true 
simplicity,  and  mingling  of  sympathy.  The  gentle- 
man who  occupied  the  chair  was  a  layman,  who  we 
heard  was  then  only  present  for  the  second  time. 
He  selected  for  singing  two  or  three  stanzas  of  a 
hymn,  and  then  prayed  with  fervor  and  fluency  for 
the  great  and  leading  objects  of  this  meeting,  viz. : 
the  renewing  and  refreshing  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  churches  in  Boston,  and  on  the  city  in 
general.  He  then  read  a  portion  of  a  chapter  in 
the  Acts.  At  the  close  of  reading,  he  made  some 
sensible  remarks  on  the  minute  guidings  of  Prov- 
idence, which  we  often  follow  without  perceiving 
them,  in  consequence  of  our  unwatchfulness ;  and 
which  when  perceived,  can  never  be  neglected  with 
impunity.  His  reason  for  choosing  the  passage  he 
had  read,  was  that  he  awoke  that  morning  with  the 
last  verses  on  his  mind ;  and  that  some  thirty,  or  it 
might  be  forty  years,  since  when  in  the  city  of  Port- 
land, he  heard  the  sermon  on  those  verses  which  was 
the  means  of  awakening  spiritual  life  in  him.  He 
had  not  heard  the  clergyman  before  or  since,  nor 
seen  him  with  his  bodily  eye  again  till  this  morning, 
but  had  good  reason  to  remember  him  and  the  time 
with  gratitude.  He  then  stated  as  another  reason 
for  addressing  them,  that  he  had  good  news  in  which 


THE   PRAYER-MEETING.  141 

all  •  would  rejoice.  He  had  heard  a  report  four 
months  since  of  the  conversion  of  an  eminent  lawyer 
of  that  same  city ;  but  when  he  considered  that  the 
man  was  a  keen  politician,  occupied  in  party  warfare, 
writing  pamphlets  on  his  favorite  questions,  and 
mingled  up  with  all  the  elections,  he  dared  not  credit 
the  good  news  and  had  kept  silence.  Now,  how- 
ever, he  could  on  undoubted  authority,  invite  the 
sympathetic  congratulations  of  the  meeting  on  the 

sound  conversion  to  God  of  Mr.  John ,  whose 

standing  in  society,  whose  noble  mental  powers,  and 
whose  extensive  interest  were  now  all  enlisted  in  the 
cause  nearest  our  hearts.  You  should  have  felt  the 
sentiment  that  throbbed  from  breast  to  breast  as  the 
true-hearted  man  sat  down.  There  was  no  articu- 
late sound,  but  the  tear  drawn  quietly  from  the 
cheek,  the  little  movement  like  the  rustling  among 
the  leaves  in  autumn  indicating  that  the  breeze  is 
there,  and  then  the  long  breath  like  an  exhalation 
of  thanksgiving,  betrayed  the  universal  sentiment. 
After  a  brief  pause,  an  aged  man  arose  whose  tremb- 
ling hand  had  carefully  turned  his  ear-trumpet  to  the 
chairman  during  his  address.  He  expressed  grati- 
tude and  joy  that  he  had  been  permitted  to  hear 
what  he  had  just  listened  to.  He  was  the  clergy- 
man who  remembered  well  having  preached  on  that 


142  THE   PRAYER-MEETING. 


passage  at  Portland  all  those  long  years  ago, 'and 
here  was  one  rich  fruit  of  that  sermon,  which  he  joy- 
fully gave  thanks  for,  for  the  first  time,  to-day. 
Again  the  little  sympathetic  rustle  breathed  through 
the  community,  and  we  feasted  our  eyes  on  the  tall, 
thin,  bending-over  pastor,  and  the  glad,  grateful, 
spiritual  son,  who  gazed  on  the  venerable  man 
through  tears.  He  went  on  to  set  his  seal  to  what 
had  been  already  said  of  the  wisdom  of  following 
small  indications  of  Providence ;  saying  that  if  his 
friend  had  not  awaked  with  that  passage  on  his  mind, 
he  might  never  have  heard  the  news  so  calculated  to 
cheer  him  towards  the  close  of  his  pilgrimage.  He 
had,  however,  still  another  coincidence  to  point  out, 
as  he  had  borrowed  a  letter  from  a  friend  for  the 
purpose  of  reading  an  extract  from  it  to  this  meeting 
this  very  morning. 

It  was  from  the  lawyer  of  Portland,  Mr.  John 
,  and  entirely  corroborated  what  we  had  al- 
ready heard.  In  it  the  writer  stated  that  he  and 
his  wife  had  lived  in  all  harmony,  and,  as  they 
thought,  wisdom,  trying  to  do  good  to  their  country 
after  their  fashion,  but  entirely  without  God.  Nor 
had  they  discovered  any  defect  in  their  scheme,  till 
their  own  cherished  and  highly  educated  son — "  our 
poor  boy,"  as  he  was  called — had  disappointed  their 


THE   PRAYER-MEETING.  143 

hopes  and  grieved  their  hearts.  Then  they  asked 
each  other  what  could  have  been  omitted  in  his 
training  that  could  leave  him  a  prey  to  evil  pursuits, 
and  suddenly  they  remembered  that  they  had,  in  the 
midst  of  many  accomplishments,  failed  to  teach  him 
anything  of  his  spiritual  relations  to  God.  They 
opened  the  Scriptures  for  themselves,  and  their 
hearts  were  opened  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  that  they 
made  a  thousand  discoveries.  It  was  joyful  to  hear 
the  outflowing  upon  new  objects,  new  motives,  new 
influences,  new  purposes;  "behold,  I  make  all 
things  new"  seemed  written  on  his  capacious  heart, 
and  if  he  had  served  his  country  zealously  as  a  poli- 
tician and  lawyer,  his  plan  and  purpose  now  was  to 
serve  it  as  a  Christian.  One  felt  sorry  as  a  stranger, 
to  have  no  familiar  hand  to  take  in  fervent  and 
thankful  gratulation  as  many  did.  Another  gen- 
tleman was  requested  to  offer  prayer  and  thanksgiv- 
ing, which  it  was  most  pleasant  cordially  to  join  in. 
We  then  sung  a  few  more  stanzas, — and  presently 
arose  a  little  thin,  threadbare,  tidy,  sweet-looking, 
but  evidently  simple  man — who  said  he  had  some- 
thing to  say  to  his  brethren  and  sisters — and  one 
might  notice  ladies  tightening  their  shawls,  and  gen- 
tlemen clearing  their  throats,  as  if  preparing  for 
the  exercise  of  endurance.     Here,  thought  the  in- 


144  THE  PRAYER-MEETING. 

terested  observer,  is  a  specimen  of  the  effect  of  a 
popular  constructed  meeting.  He  has  a  right  to 
speak,  and  the  chairman  has  no  right  to  prevent 
him — and  why  should  he  ?  If  he  is  one  of  the 
Lord's  simple  ones,  one  would  like  to  hear  what  he 
has  got  to  say. 

And  then  the  mild  man,  in  a  silver  tone,  told  us 
how  he  had  been  perplexed  by  Christ's  command  to 
"love  his  enemies" — for  if  they  were  wicked  he 
ought  not  to  love  them.  "  Do  not  I  hate  them  who 
hate  thee  ?  yea  I  hate  them  with  a  perfect  hatred." 
But  at  last  he  discovered  that  he  was  to  hate  the 
wicked  who  were  Christ's  enemies,  but  he  was  to 
love  and  pray  for  those  who  were  his  own.  "  And 
so,"  said  the  innocent,  modest  man,  "  fearing  that 
any  of  you,  my  brethren  and  sisters,  might  be  per- 
plexed by  the  same  passage,  I  am  happy  to  help  you 
with  my  explanation  of  it."  And  now,  the  time  be- 
ing exhausted,  we  parted  with  a  closing  prayer. 

In  a  far  country  I  long  to  hear  of  the  answer 
which  we  expect,  even  a  refreshing  time  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord,  on  the  Churches  and  City  of 
Boston. 

The  most  touching  feature  of  this  meeting  is, 
that  it  had  been  held  daily,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Sabbath,  for  the  last  four  months,  and  that  it 


THE   PRAYER-MEETING.  145 

consisted  of  all  denominations  that  hold  the  head — 
even  Christ — without  sectarian  inquiry  or  impedi- 
ment. Who  of  all  that  breathing  company  thought 
to  inquire  with  which  of  the  sects  that  lawyer  and 
his  wife  at  Portland  had  cast  in  their  lot  ?  It  was 
enough  that  they  were  united  to  Christ,  and  were 
gone  forth  with  brethren  to  labor  in  the  vineyard. 
If  we  really  have  our  spirits  moved  with  divine 
love,  and  if  we  dwell  in  the  light  of  our  Saviour's 
countenance,  that  rulmg  sentiment  will  occupy  the 
room  which  might  otherwise  be  filled  with  heart- 
chilling  and  deadening  influences. 

A  dream,  as  it  is  called,  though  probably  it  was  a 
dream  by  daylight,  or  rather  a  very  pregnant  para- 
ble, comes  forcibly  to  mind  in  this  connection. 

A  man  dreamed  that  his  soul  was  disunited  from 
its  earthen  dwelling-place,  and  flew  boldly  up  to 
"  that  great  city,  the  holy  Jerusalem,"  and  frankly 
addressing  one  of  the  twelve  angels  who  stand  by 
the  twelve  gates,  he  asked  for  admission,  as  he  was 
a  faithful  member  of  the  Church  of  England.  "  But," 
said  the  guardian  of  the  glorious  portal,  "  we  do  not 
know  any  such  citizens  here."  "  Why,"  expostu- 
lated the  candidate  for  admission,  "  that  is  strange. 
Who  have  you  here — have  you  any  Baptists  ?"  "  I 
never  heard  of  them,"  replied  the  angel.  "  Any 
10 


146  THE   PRAYER-MEETING. 

Presbyterians  ?"  "  I  know  not  what  you  mean." 
"  Any  Methodists  ?"  "  No  such  names  are  Imown 
here."  "  Well,  then,"  asked  the  baffled  and  alarmed 
soul,  lingering  by  the  gate,  to  enter  which  had  been 
his  heart's  longing  for  years,  "  have  you  not  any 
members  of  the  body  of  Christ  here  ?"  "  Ah  !  yes 
— all  who  enter  here  are  members  of  his  glorious 
body.     If  you  be  one  of  these,  enter  and  welcome." 

If  the  churches  were,  according  to  the  beautiful 
figure  of  James  Montgomery,  "  distinct  as  the  bil- 
lows, but  one  as  the  sea,"  how  profound  would  be 
the  Unity  of  the  Spirit  beneath,  compared  to  the 
sectarian  undulations  on  the  surface.  The  "  Unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace" — that  is  what 
must  possess  us  if  we  ever  dwell  in  heaven,  and 
therefore  what  we  must  aim  at  even  in  this  carnal 
world.  The  mighty  ocean  which  laves  our  conti- 
nents and  islands  is  ever  the  same,  and  by  its  benefi- 
cent cloud-collecting  and  wind-diffusing  powers,  the 
whole  world  is  fanned  and  watered — ^but  what  is  this 
universal  beneficence  compared  with  that  of  the 
"fountain  opened  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness ?" 
There  must  every  soul  of  every  denomination  have 
washed  before  it  has  learned  to  commune  with  Grod. 

And  if  all  are  indebted  to  the  same  cleansing 
flood,  how  can  we  stand  aloof  as  if  we  were  stran 


THE  PRAYER-MEETING.  147 

gers  ?  If  even  the  ten  lepers  associated  together  in 
their  misery,  shall  not  those  who  are  healed  asso- 
ciate together  in  their  thankful  union  ? 

"  Lift  high  thy  banner,  Prince  of  Peace ; 
Let  discords  die,  and  love  increase." 


In  the  dark  parts  of  the  earth,  we  find  shadowy 
intimations  of  Scripture  truths.  Some  have  three 
united  idols  for  their  god.  Some  have  traditions 
of  the  original  pair  who  peopled  the  earth.  Some 
have  an  account  of  Noah's  flood,  not  very  unlike 
the  truth.  All  these  are  valuable  as  intimating  the 
one  source  from  whence  they  draw  their  origin. 

They  have  by  tradition  a  dim  representation  of 
what  we  have  by  inspiration.  Even  those  things 
which  are  distinctly  stated  in  the  New  Testament, 
become  modified  in  the  course  of  ages,  and  under 
the  different  degrees  of  light  or  liberty  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

Thus,  some  baptize  by  immersion,  some  by  sprink- 
ling, some  in  a  house,  others  in  a  running  stream. 
But  all  derive  the  rite  itself  from  the  divine  record. 
And  so  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  continues  to 
show  forth  the  wonderful  sacrifice  made  for  man. 
It  will  remain  "till  He  come,"  but  under  varied 


THE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES.  149 

forms.  It  has  been  touching  to  me  to  observe  such 
variations,  and  to  feel  that  in  spite  of  them  all  the 
believers  are  one  in  heart  and  in  hope. 

At  the  communion  service,  in  an  ancient  village 
church  in  Switzerland,  the  Pastor  was  raised  two 
steps  above  us,  he  took  from  a  small  table  by  his 
side  a  long  strip  of  bread,  as  thick  as  his  finger. 
From  this  he  broke  a  morsel  which  he  silently  gave 
to  each  communicant,  who  then  passed  behind  him 
and  received  the  cup  from  one  of  the  two  elders 
stationed  at  another  little  table  on  the  same  plat- 
form, and  passing  downward  the  people  returned  to 
their  places  by  entering  the  pews  at  the  opposite 
end  from  that  by  which  they  had  left  them. 

In  Belgium,  on  a  similar  occasion,  the  church 
having  been  lately  painted,  the  elder  who  had 
charge  of  the  communion  plate  was  absent  and  had 
locked  it  up.  Were  the  children  to  fast  because  of 
the  absence  of  the  regular  order  of  vessels  ?  Nay, 
verily.  Their  pastor  treated  the  matter  in  a  more 
practical  way,  unfettered  by  any  solemn  consecra- 
tion, and  using  simple  goblets  of  glass,  and  a  com- 
mon china  plate,  the  tokens  of  redeeming  love  were 
dispensed  to  us — and  the  accompanying  exhortations 
and  prayers  were  never  more  strengthening  or 
quickening. 


150  TrfE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES. 

Some  of  these  services  in  the  United  States  had 
only  so  refreshing  a  variation  from  ours,  as  to  be 
the  more  arresting  to  the  mind.  One  of  these 
which  we  enjoyed  in  New  Jersey,  I  shall  describe 
as  correctly  as  memory  will  enable  me. 

We  had  public  worship  on  Friday  afternoon  and 
evening,  and  again  on  Saturday  at  two  o'clock.  It 
was  lively  to  see  the  country  people  congregating 
from  distant  hamlets,  and  to  count  upwards  of 
seventy  vehicles  on  the  green — the  number  on  Sab- 
bath being  increased  to  upwards  of  a  hundred. 
Each  vehicle  carried  four  persons — many  of  them 
six — and  some  children  were  there  above  the  regu- 
lar complement.  They  were  chiefly  plain  country 
people,  who  in  our  own  country  would  walk  a  few 
miles  to  church  without  weariness.  The  vehicles 
comprised  many  of  fashion  new  to  me — the  Wagon, 
the  Rockaway,  the  Dearborn,  and  so  on,  up  to  the 
comfortable  Brougham.  The  spacious  church  was 
well  nigh  full — the  services  instructive  and  edifying. 
On  the  Sabbath  all  who  were  to  join  the  church 
for  the  first  time,  came  up  the  middle  aisle  to  pro- 
fess their  faith.  Their  names  were  mentioned  by 
the  minister,  and  also  the  names  of  those  who  were 
to  be  received  from  other  evangelical  churches. 
After  reading  the  covenant,  and  a  short  affectionate 


THE    SACRAMENTAL   SERVICES.  151 

address  from  the  pastor,  the  new  members  took 
their  seats  with  the  communicants.  This  brought 
to  mind  the  simple  country  church  in  Dumfrieshire, 
where  several  years  before,  those  very  dear  to  me 
had  stood  in  the  band  of  young  communicants  to 
receive  such  welcome  and  such  admoniton. 

After  this  address  the  minister  invited  any 
strangers  who  might  wish  to  commemorate  the 
Master's  dying  love,  with  an  affectionate  reference 
to  Christian  friends  from  a  sister  church  in  a  dis- 
tant country.  Next  came  the  baptismal  service  for 
those  unbaptized.  One  man  and  one  woman,  both 
of  middle  age,  presented  themselves.  They  ad- 
vanced to  the  rail  around  the  elder's  seat  and 
kneeled.  With  us  it  is  so  uncommon  a  circum- 
stance not  to  have  been  baptized  in  infancy,  that 
when  it  is  required,  the  service  is  as  it  were  smug- 
gled bye  in  the  session-house  or  in  the  Manse. 
The  open  profession  is  the  more  becoming  method, 
inviting  the  prayers  and  the  brotherly  oversight  of 
the  whole  flock. 

On  Saturday  afternoon  when  the  children  of  the 
church  are  usually  presented  for  baptism,  there 
stood  a  mother  with  her  full  heart  and  watery  eye, 
offering  her  boy — about  six — in  one  hand,  and  her 
girl,  about  three,  in  the  other,  awakening  the  sym- 


152  THE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES. 

pathy  and  petitions  of  many  of  us — specially  that 
her  heart's  wish  for  the  conversion  of  her  husband, 
might  be  granted.  The  boy  looked  up  in  the  min- 
ister's face  and  smiled  when  he  first  poured  the 
water  and  then  laid  his  wet  hand  on  his  head  to 
bless  him.  The  girl  gave  a  startled  cry  at  the 
shock  of  the  cold  water  on  her  face,  and  then  was 
still.  Here  was  a  sight  good  for  a  church,  calling 
forth  many  family  and  Christian  sympathies. 

Next  approached  five  or  six  pairs  side  by  side ; 
the  fathers,  with  that  tenderness  for  the  feebler  sex 
which  is  unfailing  in  America,  carrying  the  babes, 
till  the  pastor  took  each  one  in  his  own  paternal 
arm,  named  and  blessed  it  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
The  vows  as  to  training  in  the  nurture,  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord  were  laid  on  both  parents.  There 
was  given  here  a  striking  testimony  to  the  esteem 
with  which  true  religion  is  regarded.  The  pastor's 
own  family  had  been  called  to  resign  to  heaven 
about  ten  years  before,  two  lovely  children,  aged  eight 
and  six  years,  and  but  recently  another  lamb  of 
their  flock.  But  the  more  recently  removed  was 
passed  by,  and  the  name  of  the  dear  child  of  ten 
years  memory  selected,  both  name  and  surname,  for 
two  of  the  babes  now  dedicated  to  the  Lord.  The 
good  man's  voice  trembled  as  he  named  the  first,  but 


THE   SACRAMENTAL   SERVICES.  153 

the  father's  heart  within  him  gave  way  quite  when 
the  second  evidence  of  respect  for  his  little  one  in 
glory  was  given.  Her  memory  is  fragrant,  and  as 
we  learned  afterward,  nearly  a  dozen  of  her  name  are 
growing  up  in  that  congregation. 

On  the  Sabbath  no  table  was  covered,  save  that 
on  which  the  elements  were  placed.  On  the  previ- 
ous day,  an  exhortation  somewhat  like  what  we  call 
"fencing  the  tables,"  had  been  delivered,  so  that 
the  preliminary  services  differed  nothing  from  what 
is  usual  on  common  Sabbaths.  The  body  of  the 
church  was  filled  with  communicants.  We  did  not 
arise  and  go  to  a  table  as  in  Scotland,  but  the  ele- 
ments were  handed  to  us  where  we  sat.  The  ser- 
vice was  simple,  solemn,  and  appropriate,  detaining  us 
only  half  an  hour  longer  than  usual.  We  had  an  af- 
ternoon sermon,  and  at  night  in  the  lecture-room  an 
elder's  prayer-meeting  very  well  conducted,  and  thus 
closed  a  refreshing  and  very  pleasant  Sabbath-day. 

The  few  country  churches  which  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  to  attend,  are  marked  by  order  and 
neatness,  remarkably  clean,  neatly  painted,  each  hav- 
ing its  stove,  and  aiming  at  its  band  of  singers.  The 
city  churches  have  a  good  effect  from  the  taste  and 
uniformity  with  which  they  are  fitted  up.  The  car- 
pets and  cushions  are  all  alike,  and  the  seats  have  a 


154  THE   SACRAMENTAL   SERVICES. 

sloping  back  which  much  promotes  the  ease  of  the 
sitter.  If  the  wood  be  painted  white  it  is  banded 
with  a  broad  border  of  some  rich  dark  wood,  or  if 
mahogany  it  is  banded  in  the  same  manner.  The 
divisions  are  low,  the  doors  sloping  gracefully,  and 
the  number  or  name  of  the  proprietor,  is  engraved 
on  a  silver-looking  plate  on  the  dark  band.  Any 
one  purchasing  a  pew,  is  bound  not  to  paint  or 
carpet  it  except  in  uniformity  with  the  furnishing 
of  the  church — and  thus  the  eye  is  not  offended  as 
it  may  be  in  old  churches,  here  by  a  red-fringed  cloth 
spreading  over  the  front  of  the  gallery  in  one  seat, 
and  next  to  it  a  brown,  and  next  again  a  green.  A 
stranger  from  a  colder  clime,  has  the  eye  drawn  to 
the  amazing  number  of  fans  sticking  between  the 
cushions  and  the  back  of  the  pew.  But  let  him 
wait  till  a  right  hot  day,  and  he  will  see  the  wife 
profiting  by  the  ventilation  of  her  husband's  fan; 
the  little  ones  placing  themselves  within  the  gale  of 
elder  brothers  and  sisters ;  the  choir  fanning  most 
violently ;  and  the  very  minister  using  all  occasions 
of  cessation  from  speech  to  fan  himself,  while  his 
tumbler  of  iced  water  on  the  neat  marble  within  his 
lengthened  rostrum,  is  frequently  resorted  to  in  the 
progress  of  his  discourse. 

The  buildings  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  are  proba- 


THE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES.  156 

bly  on  the  exact  model  brought  from  Holland  at 
first — ^nearly  square,  a  facade  of  steps  on  which  are 
erected  six  dazzling  white  fluted  pillars  which  sup- 
port a  portico,  forming  a  broad  piazza,  at  the  back  of 
which  open  the  wide  folding-doors  into  the  church. 
The  pulpit  at  the  opposite  end,  consists  also  of  a 
long  range  of  steps  to  a  platform,  which  in  the  cen- 
tre has  a  frontage  on  which  the  desk  is  fixed,  while 
it  is  without  door  or  interruption,  and  has  at  the 
back,  perhaps,  a  centre  chair  with  a  sofa  at  each 
side,  or  three  chairs  and  a  small  movable  table. 
This  is  graceful,  admits  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and 
leaves  the  orator  more  at  liberty  than  when  he  is 
shut  up  in  something  shaped  like  a  tulip  or  a  lily  of 
the  Nile,  with  a  spiral  stair  by  which  to  reach  it,  and 
an  impending  extinguisher  called  a  sounding-board  ; 
an  arrangement,  which  to  a  troublesome  imagination, 
calls  up  paintings  of  fairy  revels,  with  Oberons  and 
Titanias  just  emerging  from  bell-flowers. 

Most  of  churches  have  an  organ  and  a  choir,  which 
might  be  agreeable  if  every  one  would  sing.  But  it 
is  not  right  to  praise  God  by  proxy,  nor  even  wise 
to  withdraw  all  the  fine  voices  which  would  be  nat 
urally  sprinkled  over  the  church  and  congregate 
them  in  one  spot,  thus  leaving  the  imperfect  musi- 
cians  amongst   the  worshippers,  afraid  to  make  a 


156  THE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES. 

"joyful  noise"  in  the  condescending  ear  of  the  Fa- 
ther of  mercies,  lest  they  make  a  discordant  one  in 
that  of  their  brethren. 

On  our  return  to  England  we  landed  on  a  Sab- 
bath-day. One  of  the  freshest  enjoyments  of  my 
return  to  my  native  land  in  safety,  was  on  that  eve- 
ning uniting  with  the  multitude  in  a  good  old  psalm 
of  praise,  led  by  a  single  precentor.  Every  one 
sung  their  best,  and  filled  the  roof  with  sounds,  if  not 
so  scientific,  at  least  conveying  more  of  the  melody 
of  hearty  devotion,  than  if  we  had  listened  to  an  in- 
strument, or  whisperingly  and  timidly  followed  a 
choir.  It  is  painful  to  be  disturbed  during  prayer, 
as  sometimes  happens  by  the  rustle  of  music  sheets, 
and  also  by  the  whispered  intercourse  of  singers 
during  the  sermon.  This  only  occurs  in  churches 
where  the  choristers  are  hirelings,  but  it  is  much  to 
be  lamented.  On  the  contrary,  in  some  other 
churches,  the  amiable  willingness  to  "  help  along," 
and  the  heartiness  in  the  cause,  so  characteristic  of 
the  people,  will  induce  persons  of  refinement  and 
standing  in  society,  and  even  married  people  to  for- 
sake their  own  seat  and  join  the  choir.  Should  any 
casualty  befal  the  organist,  the  instrument  will  not 
be  left  mute,  but  some  gentleman  or  lady  will  as- 
sume the  office,  with  great  cheerfulness  and  sim- 


THE   SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES.  167 

plicity.  This  comes  not  only  of  natural  good  spirit, 
but  of  an  independence  of  "  what  people  will  think," 
which  elsewhere  paralyzes  many  who  are  well-quali- 
fied for  useful  effort. 

The  method  of  introducing  new  church-members 
to  the  communion,  seems  much  the  same  in  various 
denominations,  varying  only  with  the  temperament 
of  the  pastor.  I  have  heard  the  interesting  duty 
gone  through  in  a  matter-of-fact  cool  manner; 
again,  as  in  the  case  described,  in  a  way  of  practi- 
cal affectionate  interest;  and  again  from  a  full 
heart,  speaking  a  thousand  welcomes,  rejoicing  over 
each  soul  as  one  that  findeth  great  spoil,  and  long- 
ing to  welcome  ten  thousand  more.  Whichever  is 
the  manner,  the  occasion  is  of  profound,  it  may  be 
of  everlasting  interest.  The  frank  outflowing  char- 
acter of  the  people  has  a  very  winning  effect,  as  it 
leads  them  to  hail  each  new  member,  and  claim 
brotherhood  with  him. — A  lady  mentioned  that  she 
came  a  lonely  stranger  to  Philadelphia,  and  "  heard 
around"  in  various  churches  till  she  felt  sufficiently 
attracted  by  the  ministrations  of  one  gentleman,  to 
return  repeatedly.  When  she  had  been  observed 
about  three  times  in  the  same  place,  a  lady  accosted 
her — "  Hoped  she  liked  our  minister — would  she 
like  to  go  to  prayer-meeting  in  the  lecture-room,  she 


158  THE  SACRAMENTAL  SERVICES. 

would  be  happy  to  guide  her  next  evening — ^would 

she  like  to  be  introduced  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  

&c." — In  short,  she  found  herself  taken  up,  and 
introduced  as  one  of  a  goodly  company,  with  whom 
she  has  taken  sweet  counsel  now  for  years.  How 
sociable  and  comforting  this  to  the  solitary,  and  the 
stranger,  and  how  fit  an  ofl&ce  for  a  Mother  in 
Israel ! 


Every  community  in  the  United  States  is  open 
to  every  denomination,  and  therefore  it  is  not  unfre- 
quent  that  more  churches  are  formed  in  a  new  city 
or  district  than  its  population  can  sustain.  Thus 
they  may  erect  several  churches,  have  several  small 
flocks,  and  by  consequence  several  poorly  paid  pas- 
tors, when  had  they  limited  themselves  to  two,  both 
might  have  been  in  a  thriving  state.  The  extrava- 
gances of  some  men  have  brought  even  genuine  re- 
vivals, at  least  as  known  by  that  name,  into  disre- 
pute. Still  the  growth  of  the  church  proceeds  more 
in  the  revival  form  than  it  generally  does  in  Grreat 
Britain.  Any  symptom  of  a  time  of  refreshing  is 
the  means  of  calling  for  extra  help  ;  and  in  that  case, 
ministers  of  various  denominations  come  to  each 
other's  aid.  The  Episcopalians,  alone  in  their  ex- 
clusiveness,  denying  themselves  such  enlivening  en- 
gagements. The  variety  of  assistants,  who  are  made 
useful,  this  to  one  soul  and  that  to  another,  some- 


160  A  BEE. 


times  occasions  a  little  difl&culty  in  "  housing  the 
converts,"  as  an  intelligent  and  practical  observer 
calls  it ;  and  in  this  way  more  denominations  are 
settled  than  the  place  requires.  Many  persons  are 
not  so  liberal  or  so  punctual  in  'their  payments  as 
they  ought  to  be.  Many  of  the  pastors,  men  of 
good  parts  and  devoted  piety,  struggle  through  dif- 
ficulties with  heroic  fortitude,  which  they  can  derive 
alone  from  their  zeal  in  the  cause  of  souls.  No  other 
motive  could  retain  them  in  office,  when  other  means 
of  acquiring  an  abundant  living  are  spread  all  around 
them.  They  are  at  times  glad  to  add  a  little  farm 
to  their  care  of  souls,  or  employ  their  spare  hours 
in  educational  engagements.  In  remote  parts  money 
is  not  very  plenty,  and  the  people  are  accustomed  to 
employ  barter  instead  of  our  common  method  of 
buying  and  selling.  With  such  people  it  is  much 
easier  to  give  gifts  to  their  pastor,  than  to  insure 
him  a  regular  money  income.  From  this  circum- 
stance has  arisen  the  plan  of  having  what  has  got 
the  name  of  "  A  Bee,"  once  a  year,  which  if  met 
with  as  much  simple  kindness  by  the  receiver  of  the 
honey,  as  it  is  bestowed  by  the  busy,  happy  working 
Bees  who  bring  it,  must  be  productive  not  of  pain, 
but  of  pleasure  on  both  sides. 

As  one  not  present  in  the  hive  on  that  great  day, 


A  BEE.  161 


I  can  only  tell  what  has  been  related  by  those  who 
have  many  a  time  buzzed  there  with  great  delight. 
The  plan  is  in  this  style :  A  few  of  the  active,  warm- 
hearted females  form  a  committee  and  wait  on  the 
minister  and  his  wife  ;  or  should  he  be  a  bachelor, 
no  matter,  or  all  the  better.  They  are  not  to  stop 
on  the  threshold  for  a  ceremony.  They  invite  them- 
selves and  all  the  congregation  to  wait  on  the  par- 
sonage on  a  named  day,  or  any  other  that  suits  the 
parsonage  better.  They  take  all  charge,  trouble, 
responsibility,  only  hoping  the  family  will  allow  them 
the  privilege  of  the  house.  That  being  negotiated, 
and  the  day  arrived — ^first  comes  the  band  of  waiters, 
with  all  the  appendages  of  a  table  covered  and  laden 
with  good  things.  They  are  spread  forth,  and  who 
shall  count  the  dough-nuts,  and  the  floating  islands, 
and  the  piles  of  cheese,  and  loads  of  rich  cakes  and 
bread,  and  oceans  of  cream,  and  plates  of  frizzled 
beef,  and  smoking  turkey,  and  fried  oysters,  and 
roast  chicken,  and  pineapples  of  butter,  and  canoes 
of  brandy  peaches,  and  preserved  plums,  and  ginger, 
and  strawberries.  The  feast  is  after  the  fashion  of 
Abigail,  or  old  Barzillai's  gifts  to  David  the  King. 
It  is  princely.  They  eat,  and  drink,  and  love  one 
another,  and  are  very  happy.  Drink  !  did  I  say  ? 
Yes,  from  urns  of  fragrant  tea,  and  pots  of  rich 
11 


162  A  BEE. 

coffee,  and,  if  to  be  "had,  from  beautiful  pitchers  of 
iced  water.  And  the  gentle  family,  cheered  by  the 
scene,  enjoy  it  greatly,  and  some  of  the  minister's 
jokes  hit  the  nail  on  its  very  head,  and  are  recited 
perhaps  till  the  bees  reassemble  next  year,  or  may 
be  long  after  he  has  passed  away.  And  in  the  close, 
they  sing  praises  and  give  thanks,  aad  the  busy  ones 
gather  up  their  empty  vessels  and  depart — all  parties 
feeling  more  united  in  love  than  they  were  before. 

Then  the  family  explore  the  house,  which  had  been 
given  up  to  the  friendly  invaders.  They  have  been 
in  the  larder,  and  there  have  left  such  marks  as  a 
side  of  bacon,  a  cask  of  butter,  some  fine  cheeses. 
They  have  been  in  the  garret,  and  deposited  a  load 
or  two  of  flour,  and  a  bag  of  buckwheat,  and  another 
of  meal.  They  have  been  in  the  study,  and  placed 
an  easy  chair,  and  a  rug  before  it,  for  their  pastor 
has  left  life's  meridian  behind  him.  They  have  been 
in  the  pantry,  and  left  a  barrel  of  sugar,  a  chest  of 
tea,  and  a  cask  of  molasses.  The  children  find  with 
suprise  a  nice  new  great  coat  hanging  in  the  hall, 
as  if  it  were  quite  at  home.  And  on  mamma's  bed 
a  web  to  make  frocks,  a  beautiful  new  gown  and 
cloak,  and  a  piece  for  jackets  for  the  boys. 

In  the  midst  of  all  the  exclamations  of  joyful 
surprise  and  grateful  conjecture  as  to  the  individual 


A  BEE.  163 


donors,  the  good  man  steps  to  the  garden  to  breathe 
more  freely  under  this  load  of  kindness,  when  lo  ! 
his  wood-house  is  packed  full  of  winter  fuel,  and  the 
last  wagoner  stands  at  a  loss,  not  finding  room  for 
his  load.  "  Take  it  to  my  neighbor  the  baptist  min- 
ister down  the  hill  there,"  says  the  grateful  pastor. 
"  I  fear  he  is  hardly  so  richly  provided  for  as  I  am, 
and  I  am  as  much  obliged  to  my  friend  as  if  I  had 
burnt  every  cord  of  it  myself." 

This,  Oh  !  tithe-paying  people  of  England,  is  "  A 
Bee  !"  How  sweetly  could  many  of  your  generous 
hearts  fall  into  the  humor  of  the  country,  and  con- 
tribute your  own  pot  of  honey,  and  your  blessing 
with  it ! 


€^t  WtWiu^. 


All  weddings  are  not  so  bright  and  gay  as  that 
I  am  about  to  describe,  but  every  marriage,  even 
amongst  the  poorest  people,  ought  to  be  a  mixture 
of  the  solemnity  and  the  festival.  Solemn,  because 
it  forms  a  bond  life-long,  and  coloring  eternal  things ; 
festive,  because  love,  and  hope,  and  sympathy  are  all 
in  lively  exercise. 

Imagine  one  of  the  loveliest  days  of  the  "  Indian 
Summer,"  in  the  middle  of  November.  The  sun 
rising  over  New  York,  shaded  in  his  lustre  by  a  thin 
gauzy  haze,  which  his  ardent  beams  had  before  eight 
o'clock  drank  up,  leaving  neither  shade,  nor  visible 
cloud,  nor  any  mark  but  himself  in  all  that  blue 
vault,  the  depths  of  which  the  eye  searched  vainly 
to  fathom,  or  conjecture  what  might  be  beyond.  It 
was  such  a  morning  as  in  Britain  would  have  had 
"  the  lark  blythe  waking  at  the  daisy's  side,"  and 
one  would  have  watched  him  piercing  the  vault  of 
heaven,  till  even  the  last  speck  had  disappeared  from 
the  eye,  while  his  rich  warblings  still  poured  down, 


THE  WEDDING.  165 

reached  the  ear.  How  is  it  that  neither  sky-larks, 
daisies,  nor  primroses  frequent  the  lands  of  this  in- 
tense blue  sky,  though  they  thrive  and  rejoice  in  our 
more  cloudy  region. 

Imagine  various  households  afloat  by  six  or  seven, 
and  unwonted  toilets  and  hair-dressings  with  wreath- 
ed lilies  and  roses  before  breakfast,  and  all  the 
sprightly  remark  and  lively  anticipations  of  inter- 
ested groups,  preparing  in  various  dwellings  for  a 
pleasant  drive,  and  pleasanter  ceremony.  Imagine 
the  rough,  unsightly  broken  rocks,  unfinished  roads, 
and  the  half  built  up  brick  and  mortar  litter  of  the 
suburbs  left  behind,  and  a  road  gained  which  carries 
you  from  one  elevation  to  another,  now  in  view  of 
the  magnificent  Hudson,  with  its  flashing  waters,  its 
fleet  sail-boats,  and  its  steamers ;  now  behind  one 
of  the  innumerable  knolls  that  rise  upon  its  banks  ; 
now  sheltered  by  a  grove  of  noble  trees,  now  fronted 
by  a  stern  gray  rock,  and  again  greeted  by  a  smiling 
village,  a  busy  hotel,  or  a  tasteful  villa.  These 
knobs  on  the  banks  of  the  great  river,  which  whilome 
were  islets  that  barely  lifted  their  heads  above 
waters  which  were  gradually  subsiding  into  the 
ocean,  are  many  of  them  crowned  by  handsome  shin- 
ing white  houses,  with  wide  piazzas,  and  shading 
Venetian  shutters  of  bright  green.     Without  a  gray 


166  THE  WEDDING. 


cnrl  of  smoke  in  the  air,  or  a  yellow  stain  of  it  upon 
the  walls,  they  look  very  brilliant,  and  are  cheerful 
and  open,  so  that  the  eye  may  often  penetrate  a 
whole  suite  of  apartments,  till  it  reaches  shrubs, 
vases,  and  flowers,  on  its  farther  side.  These  undu- 
lating grounds  are  full  of  graceful  beauty,  and  when 
brother  Jonathan  passes  his  age  of  utilitarian  furor, 
and  finds  a  scarcity  of  Irish  laborers  to  split  and 
tear  down  the  rocks  in  the  nearer  environs  of  the 
city — in  short,  when  he  reaches  the  picturesque  pe- 
riod of  his  existence,  how  he  will  regret  some  of  his 
remorseless  levellings. 

"  "Why,"  it  was  inquired  of  a  gentleman  of  fine 
taste,  as  on  another  occasion  we  drove  through  some 
similar  levellings  among  the  spacious  and  handsome 
new  avenues  of  Brooklyn,  "  Why  will  you  remove 
these  lovely  eminences  ?  Let  them  level  the  ave- 
nues as  much  as  they  can,  but  do  spare  Nature's 
lines  of  beauty  in  those  varied  heights  around.  If  a 
tree  were  scattered  here  and  there  on  that  slope — if 
that  green  were  smoothed,  and  some  of  your  touch- 
ing weeping  willows  waved  their  tassels  over  it — ^if 
a  grove  crowned  the  height,  and  formed  a  back- 
ground to  those  houses  !"  "  My  dear  Madam,"  re- 
plied my  friend,  '•  the  people  would  not  bear  it. 
They  would  think  we  were  turning  exclusives,  and 


THE   WEDDING  167 


perhaps  cut  up  our  trees."  "  Is  this  the  method  by 
which  they  preserve  their  liberty  1  Is  this  repub- 
licanism ?"  "  It  is  neither  the  one  nor  the  other — 
it  is  merely  the  notion  of  the  time."  Within  half  a 
mile  of  us  there  lay  a  specimen  of  a  lovely  green, 
with  its  willows,  unmolested  by  any  zealous  leveller. 
So  I  infer  my  friend  uttered  but  a  sentiment  born 
of  some  momentary  vexation.  But  what  a  "  lie  of 
ground"  is  there  on  the  Brooklyn  Heights  !  Were 
it  placed  in  the  hands  of  some  capability  man^  it 
would  be  found  capable  of  all  manner  of  elegancies, 
as  well  as  easy  rising  roads,  and  convenient  levels. 

But  while  Brooklyn  has  risen  up  in  fancy's  eye, 
we  have  traced  several  miles  of  Manhattan  Island, 
and  reached  a  handsome  villa  which  is  situated  on  a 
height  overlooking  the  river  near  the  commencement 
of  the  palisades  on  the  opposite  shores. 

Many  carriages  stud  the  surrounding  park,  many 
domestics  stand  round  the  stoop,  and  two  or  three 
zealous  young  Masters  of  the  ceremonies  hasten  to 
receive  the  parties  as  they  alight. 

The  guests  pass  through  a  spacious  hall,  which  is 
not  furnished  with  mats  and  high-backed  unresting 
carved  chairs,  or  long  antique  oaken  settles,  sur- 
mounted by  trophies  of  arms.  The  American  Hall 
looks  like  a  place  to  lounge  on  a  sofa  in,  and  cool 


168  THE  WEDDING. 


one's  self,  or  to  dine  in  on  a  hot  day,  having  all  the 
appliances  of  a  chamber  to  be  used,  not  of  a  place 
of  waiting  attendants,  or  of  passage  only. 

In  the  farther  depths  of  the  spacious  mansion  we 
entered  a  fine  drawing-room  with  windows  on  three 
sides,  all  opening  on  the  piazza,  giving  varied  views 
of  the  Hudson.  At  the  top  stood  the  pair  whose 
circumstances  drew  all  eyes  and  all  hearts  to  them. 
Three  bridemaids  stood  on  one  side,  each  with  a 
bouquet  rather  inconveniently  large,  and  formally 
arranged,  so  as  to  rob  the  loveliest  things  in  nature 
of  all  the  graces  of  bending  stalks  and  flowing  leaves. 
Three  groomsmen  stood  on  the  other  side.  There 
were  besides,  two  pretty  little  girls,  who  were  held 
by  the  hands  of  two  smart  boys,  not  got  up  for  the 
show,  as  in  the  Popish  processions,  but  really  rela- 
tives and  friends  of  the  family.  The  Episcopal 
clergyman,  in  his  surplice,  was  a  graceful,  nice-look- 
ing man,  fit  to  grace  such  an  assemblage.  The  room 
was  thronged,  for  not  the  interested  and  affectionate 
friends  only,  but  stewards  and  house-keepers  from 
all  branches  of  the  family  were  there.  Dark  coach- 
men and  white  house-maids,  black  cooks  and  yellow 
foot-boys,  Sunday  scholars  in  their  new  frocks,  Ethi- 
opian Susan,  with  her  ivory-black  baby  in  her  arms, 
and  all  the  other  five  of  them  at  her  feet.     Waiting- 


THE   WEDDING.  169 

women,  with  their  ringlets,  and  their  air  of  myste- 
rious importance,  armed  with  ice-water  and  essences, 
in  case  of  need.  Aged  and  withered-looking  people 
leaning  on  marble  slabs  next  to  elegant  brocades 
and  diamonds,  were  all  mingled  in  most  admired 
confusion.  The  Africans  as  far  up  the  room,  and 
for  once  as  much  mixed  with  the  whites  as  anybody. 
The  scene,  as  one  could  withdraw  attention  from  the 
modest,  sweet-looking  bride,  or  from  her  beaming, 
affectionate  mother,  to  consider  it,  was  to  an  Eng- 
lish eye  most  curious  and  striking. 

And  now,  all  being  arranged,  the  service  began. 
It  is  abbreviated  and  improved  from  the  old  Eng- 
lish original,  and  was  felt  to  be  solemn  and  appro- 
priate. 

"  For  the  deep  trust  with  which  a  maiden  casts 
Her  all  of  earth,  perchauce  her  all  of  heaven, 
Into  a  mortal's  hand," 

is  calculated  to  fill  the  minds  of  on-lookers  with  so- 
ber thought.  Our  interesting  bride  went  calmly 
through  her  part,  as  if  resolved,  and  gave  no  use  for 
essences.  While  her  deeply  attached  husband  never 
moved  his  eye  from  her  countenance,  as  if  his  all 
were  before  him.  The  only  movement  that  seemed 
to  detract  from  the  unity  of  the  heart  absorption, 
was  when  the  bride  for  a  moment  pressed  a  finger 


170  THE  WEDDING. 

on  the  diamond  cross  on  her  bosom.  "  Is  she  think- 
ing of  her  appearance  ?"  No — clearly  her  thoughts 
are  of  a  higher  tone.  "  Is  she  entertaining  some 
superstitious  reverence  for  the  emblem  V  No — still 
why  does  her  finger  rest  there  ?  It  was  his  love- 
token,  she  accepted  it  in  evidence  that  she  accepted 
him. 

A  peculiarity  which  we  have  not  in  England  has 
an  interest  of  its  own  sort  in  it.  The  bridegroom 
first  gave  the  ring  to  the  bride,  she  took  it,  looked 
on  it,  and  gave  it  back — he  then  gave  it  to  the  cler- 
gyman, who  also  looked  on  it  and  returned  it, — so 
that  before  the  little  mystic  token  of  everlasting 
union  was  placed  on  her  finger,  it  had  been  ob- 
served by  all  the  three. 

The  finger  of  her  glove  had  been  previously 
opened  on  one  side,  so  that  the  bridemaid  had  no 
flutter  or  struggle  in  removing  the  glove  from  her 
hand,  but  merely  slipt  it  oflF  the  point  of  the  finger, 
and  thus  it  was  uncovered  ready  for  the  ring — a 
method  highly  to  be  commended  to  all  trembling  or 
blundering  bridemaids.  At  the  close,  the  minister 
raised  a  hand  above  the  head  of  each,  and  mentioD- 
ing  their  Christian  names,  blessed  them  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord.     It  was  very  touching. 

The  emotions  of  congratulation  were  pleasantly 


THE   WEDDING.  171 


broken  in  upon  by  one  of  the  nice  little  girls,  who, 
holding  her  boy-beau  with  one  hand,  with  the  other 
presented  an  elegant  small  basket  of  white  rosebuds, 
while  with  a  sweet  low  voice  she  recited  a  few  grace- 
ful lines  of  hopeful  aspiration  : 

"Bring  flowers,  fresh  flowers,  for  the  bride  to  wear  ! 
They  were  born  to  blush  in  her  shining  hair ; 
She  is  leaving  the  home  of  her  childhood's  mirth, 
She  hath  bid  farewell  to  her  father's  hearth. 
Her  place  is  now  by  another's  side — 
Bring  flowers  for  the  locks  of  the  fair  young  bride  !" 

Then  was  wheeled  in  a  table  with  the  mighty 
cake,  which  is  as  much  a  "  chieftain"  at  an  American 
as  at  a  British  wedding.  From  it  the  groomsmen 
procured  their  favors,  and  mounted  them  as  badges 
of  office,  and  then  came  the  old  English  fun  about 
who  found  the  ring,  who  the  sixpence,  who  the  scis- 
sors, and  who  the  thimble. 

At  one  o'clock,  the  pair,  with  their  attendant 
damsels,  arranged  themselves  for  "  the  reception," 
while  the  groomsmen  ushered  in  the  guests,  and  pre- 
sented them  to  the  bride.  They  had  no  sinecure 
office  till  past  three.  The  porter  lost  count  after 
the  number  of  guests  had  passed  seven  hundred,  in 
spite  of  the  custom  for  each  family  to  give  their  card 
of  invitation  at  the  door.     As  a  rare  privilege  a 


172  THE   WEDDING. 

seat  was  procured  for  me  in  a  place  where  all  who 
entered  must  pass,  and  there,  without  the  exertion 
of  talking,  I  saw  the  aristocracy  of  New  York  and 
of  many  other  places,  glide  by. 

The  movements  were  quiet  and  graceful,  counte- 
nances beaming,  many  very  lovely, — dresses  rather 
elegant  than  gay.  Amongst  those  that  one  was 
glad  to  have  conversed  with,  even  in  the  brief  way 
that  an  introduction  can  produce  in  such  a  scene, 
were  the  Ex-President  Van  Buren,  the  Portuguese 
ambassador,  who  led  one  of  his  children  through 
that  lively  maze,  as  several  others  did,  and  John  Jay, 
grandson  of  the  Judge,  whose  name  has  been  long 
held  in  veneration  as  the  negro's  friend.  It  was 
pleasant  to  look  on  them  and  many  more  men  of 
note  in  their  country. 

We  went  in  groups  to  the  dining-room,  where 
tables  were  sumptuously  and  most  elegantly  spread 
with  all  the  luxuries  of  the  season, — when,  having  a 
hint  that  there  could  be  no  time  for  any  other  din- 
ner, people  took  advantage  of  their  opportunity. 
Stewed  oysters,  which  are  amongst  the  most  nour- 
ishing and  healthy  luxuries  of  th^  country,  with 
sandwiches,  game,  fruits,  jellies,  ices,  and  cham- 
pagne, were  most  dutifully  handed  about  by  the  gen- 
tlemen.    After  refreshing  ourselves,  we  returned  to 


THE  WEDDING.  173 

the  saloon  with  some  difficulty,  as  the  throng  thick- 
ened, and  the  young  people,  who  had  lately  begun 
to  time  their  steps  to  the  music  which  issued  from  a 
side-room,  had  at  last  got  to  dancing.  The  recep- 
tion-callers were  for  a  season  figuring  up  the  hall 
amid  the  circling  dancers,  and  were  almost  obliged 
to  galope  their  way  into  the  saloon. 

This  hugging,  and  whirling  with  shut  eyes,  be- 
cause of  dizziness,  and  panting  and  falling  on  each 
other's  shoulders,  confounds  people  of  sedate  and 
tranquil  manners.  I  once  saw  in  a  cursaal  in  G-er- 
many,  through  a  glass  door  by  which  I  passed, 
something  similar  to  this,  but  never  in  Britain, 
though  I  suppose  it  may  be  seen  there.  A  bright 
lady  by  my  side  quoted  in  my  ear  what  Washington 
Irving  had  said  at  a  similar  scene,  "  Go  fetch  half 
a  dozen  parsons  to  marry  these  couples,  for  they 
have  done  all  the  courting  already." 

As  the  conflict  thickened,  the  servants  who  had 
withdrawn,  trooped  back  again.  It  was  quite  new 
to  me  to  see  half  a  dozen  dark  people  laughing, 
joking,  and  enjoying  the  fun  familiarly.  You 
might  see  the  whites  within  one  door  of  the  hall  or 
hanging  on  the  stair,  and  the  blacks  at  another — • 
and  an  elegant,  breathless  dancer,  fanning  and 
swinging  in  one  rocking-chair,  and  a  black  child  of 


174  THE  WEDDIISTG. 

nine  or  ten  in  the  next,  quite  unconscious  of  any^ 
thing  like  forwardness  in  her  position.  My  bright 
friend  explains  the  superior  familiarity  of  the  dark 
people  in  this  way :  "  The  whites  are  so  nearly  our 
equals,  that  we  dare  not  approach  nearer,  but  there 
is  a  bar  forever  between  us  and  the  colored  people." 
There  are  among  the  colored  so  many  "  aunt"  Silvas 
and  Celias,  and  Sukies,  old  friends  of  the  houses  too, 
that  there  is  a  great  deal  of  amiability  in  the  way 
the  superiors  manage  and  deal  with  them  in  their 
visits.  The  white  attendants  are  more  like  the 
French  Bonne,  than  the  English  waiting-woman. 
They  are  all  occupied  about  the  dressings  and 
goings  to  and  fro,  offering  opinions  as  to  what  suits 
complexion,  and  hints  as  to  what  is  becoming,  such 
as  only  a  highly  indulged  servant  would  think  of 
giving  in  England. 

Some  of  the  party  made  their  way  to  an  upper 
room,  where  the  numerous  and  munificent  gifts  to 
the  bride  had  been  arranged  for  the  purpose  of 
being  shown  merely  to  relatives.  The  admiration 
of  beautiful  things  soon  reached  the  ears  of  those 
below,  and  troop  after  troop  ascended  and  exclaim- 
ed, and  admired,  contrary  to  the  intention  of  the 
lord  of  the  mansion,  who,  finding  his  instructions 
ill-understoodj  or  at  least,  ill-obeyed,  sent  a  mes- 


THE  WEDDING.  175 


senger  who  most  relentlessly  locked  the  doors  by 
which  the  parties  had  made  their  way  into  a  neigh- 
boring chamber.  It  is  the  plan  of  most  houses  to 
have  all  the  chambers  opening  into  one  another. 
This  was  rather  a  comical  scrape — a  whole  train  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  locked  up  as  if  they  had  been 
suspected  of  designing  to  carry  something  away. 
The  amiable  lady  of  the  family  made  her  way  in, 
and  apologized  very  handsomely  for  the  series  of 
mistakes,  and  suffered  the  culprits  to  escape  without 
farther  punishment. 

"  The  reception"  having  poured  out  its  multitude, 
the  bride  and  bridegroom  were  at  last  emancipated, 
and  made  a  retreat  to  procure  some  food  and  to 
dress  for  travelling ; — and  presently  they  slipt  away 
by  a  side-door,  where  the  drawing  up  of  their  car- 
riage was  concealed  from  the  public  gaze — and  the 
scene  of  light-hearted  mirth,  having  passed  the  ele- 
ment in  which  those  who  are  equipped  in  perpetual 
sable  feel  at  home,  my  friend  and  I,  by  the  same 
private  door,  obtained  our  chariot  too,  and  returned 
to  town. 

As  a  proof  of  the  easy  manner  of  the  domestics, 
it  may  be  worth  while  to  mention  that  the  one  who 
opened  the  door  for  us  on  our  returning,  said — 
"  Well,  ladies,  I  hope  you  have  enjoyed  your  day," 


176  THE   WEDDING. 


— a  kind  of  sympathy  much  more  natural  than  the 
assumed  automatonism  of  an  English  servant,  who 
goes  through  all  evolutions,  as  if  he  had  no  compre- 
hension of  what  you  are  about,  and  cared  as  little 
as  if  you  were  in  the  bottom  of  the  sea. 

The  pieces  of  cake  which  we  brought  home,  were 
in  pretty  card-board  boxes  tied  with  white  ribbons. 
Indeed,  on  occasion  of  two  of  the  servants  making 
a  match,  while  I  stayed  in  the  house  of  another 
friend,  during  the  winter — they  presented  five  such 
boxes  so  tied,  to  the  ladies  of  the  family  and  their 
guests.  People  of  all  ranks  in  America  do  such 
things  in  a  dashing  style.  They  earn  money  quickly 
and  spend  it  freely.  We  also  brought  home  some 
splendid  bunches  of  flowers,  and  related  all  our 
wonders,  and  wished  the  dear  young  people  happi- 
ness, but  being  tolerably  exhausted  by  the  long  day 
of  excitement,  went  to  rest,  glad  that  we  need  not 
rise  to  dress  for  another  wedding  to-morrow. 


The  traveller  marvels  at  the  well-laid-out  and 
nearly  filled  up  streets  of  BuflFalo,  which  a  few  years 
ago  consisted  of  but  a  store  and  a  hotel — and  the 
gathering  throng  at  Geneva,  with  the  extensive  salt- 
works of  Saliaa,  where  lately  there  was  only  the 
haunt  of  the  red  hunter — and  the  orderly  and  thriv- 
ing population  of  Rochester,  loading  canal-boats  with 
pile  on  pile  of  sacks  and  casks,  containing  grain, 
flour,  butter,  cheese,  and  all  the  bountiful  produce  of 
a  very  rich  country.  He  hears  of  Troy  and  Utica, 
and  all  manner  of  ancient  names,  till  he  is  at  a  loss 
to  remember  in  which  era  of  time  he  lives,  and  on 
which  quarter  of  the  globe  he  stands.  But  he  feels 
it  is  all  new — the  growth  of  yesterday.  He  need 
but  go  a  few  roods  from  most  of  these  flourishing 
cities,  to  fall  in  with  black  stumps,  obstinately  hold- 
ing their  room  in  the  fields  of  winter  wheat ;  or 
lopped  and  girdled  trees  like  so  many  criminals 
awaiting  their  doom ;  or  whole  acres  of  fir  wrenched 
12 


178  THE   CITIES. 


up  by  a  machine,  their  once  sky-pointing  tops  prone 
in  the  coarse  and  fenny  grass,  and  their  roots  stand- 
ing in  the  air,  like  the  fangs  of  a  strong  tooth  that 
has  been  drawn  from  its  place  by  an  engine  not  less 
stern  and  resolute.  The  forest  seems  ancient  like 
mother  earth,  and  like  the  deep  blue  sky — but  the 
cities  are  like  parvenus^  all  new,  and  smart,  and 
bright:  so  that  when  from  the  Nor-west  you  get 
down  to  Albany,  you  feel  as  if  you  had  reached  a 
very  ancient  place,  parts  of  it  reminding  one  of  Hol- 
land with  a  sort  of  modern  square  cut  about  it. 

Washington — were  the  spaces  filled  up  between 
its  very  magnificent  public  edifices,  would  be  very 
grand.  Baltimore,  with  its  tasteful  monuments  and 
fine  rivers,  is  filled  up ;  its  regular  orderly  streets 
giving  one  a  little  breathing  of  up  hill  and  down 
dale ;  reminding  Scotch  folks  of  Jeany  Dean's  de- 
light at  having  her  legs  rested  by  climbing  Grunner- 
bury  hill,  after  two  or  three  hundred  miles  of  plain 
walking.  Philadelphia  is  full  of  Philanthropists  and 
philanthropic  institutions ;  is  clean,  handsome,  and 
orderly  as  a  young  quaker's  paste-board  bonnet. 
Hartford,  with  its  fine  streets  and  fine  trees,  and  all 
the  histories  attached  to  them — New  Haven,  with 
its  avenue  of  Elms,  like  the  interlacing  roof  of  an 
ancient  cathedral — Boston,  majestic,  graceful,  with 


THE   CITIES.  179 


its  beautifully  laid  out  Common  and  height  crowned 
by  its  noble  State  House — These,  and  many  more 
one  traverses  with  an  ever-rising  perception  of  the 
civilization,  wealth,  taste,  and  beauty  of  the  country. 
But  it  is  of  New  York, — the  "  Empire  City,"  where 
traffic  hastens  and  where  shipping  throngs,  where 
wealth  enjoys  and  poverty  labors,  where  want  is  pur- 
sued by  benevolence,  inebriety  by  temperance,  and 
vice  of  all  sorts  by  Christianity, — it  is  of  this  empo- 
rium of  the  country  that  we  wish  to  speak. 

It  is  common  to  say,  "  New  York  will  be  a  hand- 
some city  when  it  is  finished,"  and  so  it  will  if 
that  day  of  repose  ever  reaches  it.  One  sometimes 
lights  on  a  street  quiet  and  clean,  where  you  can 
stand  still  and  enjoy  it.  But  lo  !  a  restless  genius 
has  bought  a  house.  However  comfortable  it  is  he 
will  hardly  believe  it  his  own  till  he  has  altered  it. 
So  you  will  see  it  climbing  a  story  nearer  the  clouds, 
a  conservatory  bulging  out  on  the  side,  a  portico  on 
the  front.  If  it  be  a  store,  a  smarter  window  or  a 
deeper  cellar  is  wanted.  In  short,  your  orderly 
street  is  quickly  cumbered  with  all  the  confusion  of 
building ;  and  timber,  bricks,  and  lime  are  spread 
about  with  little  ceremony,  and  much  incumbrance 
to  passengers.  There  is  wonderful  forbearance  on 
the  part  of  the  citizens,  with  the  encroachments  made 


180  THE   CITIES. 


on  the  footpaths  by  boxes  and  casks  of  all  kinds. 
You  must  glide  through  them  very  warily,  lest  your 
clothes  be  rent  on  a  corner  or  your  foot  wounded  by 
a  nail ;  not  to  mention  tinctures  of  tar  or  sugary 
matter,  which  may  be  more  easily  contracted  than 
shunned  in  the  lower  and  more  business  parts  of  the 
city.  It  must  be  on  the  give  and  take  principle  that 
these  incumbrances  are  suffered — "  I  won't  complain 
of  you  to-day,*  for  I  expect  my  cargo  in  to-morrow ; 
we  must  all  get  along" — and  so  they  do,  more  at  the 
occupiers'  ease  in  some  streets  than  that  of  the  pas- 
sengers. It  reminded  me  of  an  indignant  traveller 
whose  horse  had  shied  at  the  carcase  of  a  dead 
brother  at  the  end  of  a  small  town  in  Scotland, — 
"  Why  is  not  this  nuisance  removed  ?"  "  Hout,  our 
horses  are  used  to  it,  they  never  care."  "  But  mine 
does ;  and  if  you  don't  have  it  removed,  I  will  rep- 
resent it  to  the  Baillie."  '•  Hout,  awa.  Sir — I'm 
Baillie  myself!"  Probably  these  cumberers  of  the 
pavement  are  Baillies  too. 

Another  subject  on  which  great  forbearance  is 
shown,  is  the  endurance  of  noise  in  many  operations, 
where  a  little  care  would  lessen  or  entirely  remove  it. 
The  movable  sides  of  their  long  carts  rattle.  The 
loads  they  carry  rattle.  By  half-past  four,  A.  M.,  the 
milk-carts  begin   their  clattering  progress.     Many 


THE   CITIES.  181 


of  them  carry  six  tin  jars,  which  contain  perhaps  fif- 
teen gallons  apiece.  These  jars  are  slipt  into  six 
iron  rings,  which  might  be  easily  lined  with  leather, 
but  they  are  not.  At  every  motion  of  the  cart  all 
the  six  give  forth  their  own  portion  of  noise.  Add 
to  this  the  unusual  quantity  of  rattle  of  the  wheels 
on  the  axle,  the  shout  or  whistle  or  frightful  Aus- 
tralian "  Coooa"  with  which  the  milkmen  summon  the 
drowsy  damsels  to  come  forth  with  their  empty 
pitchers,  and  you  have  got  up  a  nuisance  which  it 
would  require  a  determined  anti-clatter  company  to 
put  down.  Woe  be  to  the  sick  and  wakeful  who 
have  just  dropt  into  a  slumber — it  is  effectually  over 
for  this  morning. 

Next  comes  the  ice  cart,  with  less  commotion,  its 
driver  rings,  and  in  his  huge  forceps  lifts  a  cube  of 
transparent  solid  ice  ;  not  the  "  rotten  ice,"  frozen 
and  melted,  and  frozen  again,  that  we  call  ice  in 
England ;  but  the  pure  block  cut  out  of  the  Rock- 
land Lake,  which  might  have  been  several  feet 
thick,  and  frozen  a  couple  of  months  before  it  was 
broken  by  the  dealer  in  that  frigid  but  important 
and  wholesome  luxury. 

On  the  Sabbath  mornings  another  noise  is  added, 
which  inflicts  not  headache  alone,  but  heartache. 
By  six  o'clock  the  news-boys  traverse  the  streets 


182  THE   CITIES. 


shouting  "  The  Herald,  The  New  Yorker,  &c.,"  fur- 
nishing half-a-day's  secular  reading  for  all  who  arc  so 
disposed.  These  boys !  lately  tattered,  and  wan, 
and  timid  Irish  emigrants  ;  look  at  them  fitted  out 
in  second-hand  garments,  the  fitting  of  which  is  not 
so  much  to  be  considered,  as  how  they,  destitute, 
earned  the  cash  to  purchase  them.  See  them 
wrestling,  scrambling,  teasing  each  other  in  their 
breathing  intervals.  Hear  their  slang  wit,  impu- 
dence, and  profanity  mingled.  Observe  their  acute 
calculating  skill.  One  wants  to  be  off  home,  and 
will  "  sell  out"  to  the  next,  giving  him  the  advan- 
tage of  a  paper  or  two  of  his  "  stock  in  trade,"  into 
the  bargain.  Bright  fellows !  what  ready  mother 
wit,  what  sharp  adoption  of  trading  phrases.  How 
capable  of  learning  something  better  !  Poor  waifs, 
cast  on  the  world's  unholy  shore  !  I  never  saw  any 
of  them  without  sorrow,  excepting  a  little  party  of 
them  who  had  been  induced  to  join  a  "  boys'  meet- 
ing," where  their  sharj)ened  faculties  seemed  to  ena- 
ble them  to  apprehend  meaning  more  easily,  and 
more  to  enjoy  intellectual  occupation  than  some  of 
their  peers. 

The  stores  are  very  handsome,  and  the  reckless 
way  in  which  masses  of  valuable  goods  are  exposed 
to  the  sun  inside,  and  to  the  dust  outside,  very  sur- 


THE   CITIES.  183 


prising.  Several  of  the  stores  occupy  a  whole  block 
of  buildings — a  space  large  enough  for  five  or  six 
moderately  sized  houses.  On  some  of  these  one's 
eye  rests  with  peculiar  complacency,  as  the  fruit  of 
industry  united  with  integrity.  You  may  be  told  as 
you  pass  along,  "  Look  at  that  fine  store.  Its 
owner  came  here  in  debt — he  and  his  family  allowed 
themselves  no  indulgencies,  but  all  worked  hard,  till 
he  was  able  to  return  to  Scotland,  assemble  his 
creditors,  and  pay  up  principal  and  interest.  Since 
then  they  have  never  looked  behind  them — all  has 
gone  well."  I  worshipped  repeatedly  in  the  church 
with  such  a  family,  and  used  to  turn  and  see  them 
step  out  of  their  carriages  with  as  loyal  a  heart  to 
them  as  I  have  felt  to  our  own  beloved  Queen, 
when  I  have  stayed  to  see  her  step  out  of  hers. 

Perhaps  the  very  purest  pleasure  of  all  the  de- 
lights afforded  me  in  that  whole  city,  was  meeting 
with  some  of  my  countrymen,  now  thriving,  cheerful, 
hospitable,  loving — who  but  a  few  years  before  were 
care-worn  beings,  who  having  strained  every  fibre  to 
raise  money  to  carry  them,  had  crossed  the  ocean 
with  much  trembling.  To  mingle  sympathies  in 
their  thankfulness,  as  had  often  been  done  in  their 
cares  and  sorrows  at  home,  seemed  to  me  a  treat 
that  angels  might  relish.     To  be  fanned  in  their 


184  THE   CITIES. 


rocking-chairs,  refreshed  by  their  fruits  and  iced 
water,  to  inquire  all  their  histories,  to  play  with 
their  children,  to  go  with  them  to  church,  and  "  see 
how  like  old  Scotland  it  was,"  yea,  even  to  mingle 
tears  with  them  at  Greenwood  Cemetery,  over  their 
honored  and  departed  dead,  was  a  treat  worth  the 
trouble  of  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  ;  but  the 
citizens  have  made  me  forget  the  city. 

Broadway  is  a  perfect  puzzle — how  smaller  and 
lighter  crafts  make  undemolished  way  through  that 
throng  of  omnibuses,  is  amazing.  Many  a  street  in 
London  is  as  much  crowded,  but  I  do  not  suppose 
in  any  one,  if  you  except  the  vicinity  of  the  Crys- 
tal Palace  at  evening,  you  could  count  twenty  omni- 
buses at  a  time  within  sight.  Yet  there  is  no  press- 
ing and  driving — but  cheerful,  smiling  courtesy,  on 
all  hands.  We  had  occasion  to  cross  from  Jersey 
City  on  Christmas  eve,  when  the  roomy  steamer 
could  scarcely  afford  standing-room  for  the  well- 
dressed  throngs  of  artisans  and  their  families  who 
were  crossing  to  be  ready  for  to-morrow's  holiday. 
How  pleased  they  looked  !  How  obliging  !  Giv- 
ing way  when  they  could,  or  expressing  regret  to 
one  another  if  they  could  not.  Not  one  tipsy  shout, 
— not  one  staggering  mortal — no  wife  or  sister  look- 
ing fearfully  on  her  escort.     Ah,  Scotland !  when 


THE  CITIES.  185 


will  Temperance  do  for  thee  what  it  has  done  for 
these  crowded  cities? 

My  companions  on  that  evening  urged  me  to  look 
in  on  Washington  market — and  it  was  a  goodly 
sight.  One  does  not  care  about  the  piles  of  food — 
such  masses  are  to  be  seen  in  many  a  city  in  nearly 
equal  quantity — it  was  the  purchaser*  who  drew  my 
attention.  The  good  wife  laden  with  cheese,  and 
beef,  and  ham,  and  vegetables,  and  butter,  and 
candles.  The  children  clustering  around  helping 
to  carry  her  load  of  plum-cakes  or  currant  loaves, 
and  her  bunch  of  evergreen.  The  men,  in  blue 
blouses  or  with  blue  trowsers  over  others,  to  pre- 
serve them  from  the  lime  or  tar  they  had  been 
working  in  all  day,  swinging  along  a  huge  turkey 
by  the  legs,  its  head  knocking  on  the  pavement  as 
they  went,  while  a  lump  of  bacon  filled  the  other 
hand.  No  wonder  that  brother  Jonathan  is  vaunty 
and  boastful,  he  has  all  the  inspirations  of  prosper- 
ity and  hope.  And  then  to  discern  many  an  Irish 
countenance  among  these  purchasers  of  viands,  poor 
fellows  !  who  never  saw  a  turkey  without  its  feathers 
in  their  lives,  until  they  left  "  Ould  Ireland," — and 
to  think  the  luxury  could  be  had  by  honest  working 
for  it — ^it  made  one's  heart  happy. 

The  various  devices  employed  for  thrusting  their 


186  THE   CITIES. 


business  into  notice,  strikes  one  as  new.  Pillars 
erected  on  the  verge  of  the  pavement  are  stuck  over 
with  instructions  about  oyster  cellars,  and  barbers, 
and  all  sorts  of  eatables  and  wearables.  The  very 
boxes  that  protect  the  trees  are  covered  with  bills 
nailed,  not  pasted  on.  Flags  under  your  feet  have 
the  name  and  trade  of  the  occupant  of  the  neigh- 
boring store  carved  on  them.  Movable  placards 
against  walls  and  lamp-posts  tell  of  places  of  amuse- 
ment. These,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  are  not  withdrawn, 
or  rather  new  ones  are  put  forth,  on  the  Lord's  day, 
and  often  you  may  see  the  thoughtless  who  have  just 
quitted  the  sanctuary,  turn  round  at  the  door  of  a 
theatre  to  read  what  can  be  had  to  divert  them  on 
the  morrow.  But  the  style  of  attracting  notice, 
which  gives  a  tattered  and  disorderly  aspect  to 
streets  otherwise  handsome,  is  the  huge  cotton  flags 
stretched  across  the  centre,  in  the  manner  the  lamps 
are  suspended  in  some  ancient  European  cities. 
These  present  letters  of  gigantic  size. 

Before  one  of  these  I  felt  my  feet  arrested  and 
my  mind  filled  with  emotions  that  referred  to  scenes 
and  times  far,  far  from  the  noise  of  Broadway.  It 
was  an  announcement  that  Sir  William  Don  would 
act  for  the  public  of  New  York  every  evening  that 
week.     Sir    William   Bon !     Newton   Don !     The 


THE   CITIES.  187 


scene  of  my  children's  happiest  holidays.  -^  That 
thought  came  first.  Mary  Lundie's  "  Hawthorn" 
gathered  there — 

"  It  is  the  hawthorn  blossom, 
The  fairest  flower  of  spring ; 
It  smiles  on  earth's  green  bosom, 
And  nature's  minstrels  sing. 
A  thousand  happy  voices 
Advance  to  bid  it  hail ; 
Oh,  how  the  bee  rejoices 
To  scent  it  in  the  gale." 

Has  it  come  to  this  !  Has  this  poor  young  man 
left  those  lovely  glades  to  act  the  droll  for  the 
amusement  of  a  foreign  multitude  !  Then  rose  to 
mind  the  ancestral  cups  which  had  once  for  some 
weeks  graced  our  sideboard,  that  all  the  pastors  who 
came  and  went  might  see  them.  A  pair  of  ancient 
candlesticks  they  were  in  reality,  with  bottoms  like 
an  inverted  bowl,  of  workmanship  so  rough,  that  the 
dimple  marks  of  the  hammer  that  had  beaten  the 
silver  into  shape,  were  still  discernible.  These  can- 
dlesticks had  nearly  three  hundred  years  ago  been 
inverted,  and  used  as  extempore  communion-cups 
when  Knox  visited  Glencairn,  and  for  the  first  time 
dispensed  the  ordinance  of  the  Supper  in  the  Re- 
formed Church  to  a  group  in  the  Castle  Hall.     This 


188  THE   CITIES. 


heirloom  of  an  ancient  house,  has  descended  to  a 
player  !  The  blood  of  this  Christian  Earl  of  Glen- 
cairn  flows  still  in  the  veins  of  that  young  actor  ! 
And  has  it  come  to  this  ! 

On  festival  days,  when  the  city  is  afloat  with 
frolic,  you  will  see  little  flags  with  the  stars  and 
stripes  on  the  heads  of  horses,  on  the  roofs  of  car- 
riages, flying  out  of  windows,  and  at  Barnum's  Mu- 
seum, not  only  all  around  the  house,  but  flaunting 
from  it  across  the  street  on  cords  attached  to  the 
chimney  tops  on  the  opposite  side. 

On  a  stormy  day  early  in  December,  the  coach- 
makers  began  to  project  into  the  street  carriages 
with  prows  formed  like  those  ships  of  old  that  car- 
ried Greece  to  Troy — painted,  varnished,  and  gilded 
in  the  handsomest  manner — lined  and  cushioned 
most  luxuriously,  in  green  or  crimson  embossed 
velvet.  And  then,  for  the  first  time,  my  eye  rested 
on  a  sleigh.  But  the  winter  being  mild,  though  a 
few  times  a  laborious  effort  was  made  to  get  on  in 
one,  and  one  saw  the  thing  and  heard  the  bells 
tinkling  like  those  on  the  leading  goat  or  sheep  on 
the  lower  Alps,  yet  they  were  not  generally  used. 
The  snow,  during  the  whole  winter,  turned  to  mois- 
ture when  it  did  happen  to  fall.  But  they  talked 
of  the  sleigh  being  used  instead  of  the  omnibus, 


THE   CITIES.  189 


and  of  the  men  adding  another  and  another  pair  of 
horses  each  time  they  reached  the  point  of  their 
destination,  till  I  was  assured  that  twenty  might  be 
seen  in  one  carriage.  "  And  why  do  they  do  that  V 
"  Oh,  just  for  fun  !"  They  are  a  lively  people,  al- 
ways ready  for  a  '•  spree  ;"  but  I  question  if  the 
jaded  horses  would  not  have  much  preferred  their 
stable,  with  their  corn  and  hay. 

The  incessant  and  heavy  traffic  digs  up  and  wears 
out  the  pavement  of  Broadway,  so  that  yearly  it  re- 
quires to  be  gone  over  and  repaired.  It  is  surpris- 
ing to  see  the  unwieldy  omnibus  during  the  season 
for  paving,  turn  down  narrow  side  streets  repeatedly 
in  its  lengthened  course.  Yet  so  attractive  is  this 
one  street,  which  is  like  the  spinal  column  of  the 
city,  that  they  will  return  to  Broadway  at  the  first 
block  where  it  is  passable,  though  they  have  to  turn 
off  again  in  the  course  of  a  few  hundred  yards.  A 
comical  specimen  of  impulsive  character,  I  don't 
presume  to  say  in  the  American  people,  but  certainly 
in  o?ie  of  them,  was  exhibited  by  a  gentleman  in  one 
of  these  omni-gatherum  vehicles.  He  informed  all 
whom  it  might  concern,  that  he  was  from  Buffalo — 
that  he  had  never  heard  Jenny  Lind,  but  would  give 
his  ears  to  hear  her  or  to  see  her,  because  of  the 
beauty  of  her  singing  and  the  benevolence  of  hei 


190  THE   CITIES. 


character.  As  he  could  neither  see  nor  hear  her, 
he  was  resolved  to  go  and  see  Tripler  Hall  which 
had  been  built  for  her,  and  where  she  had  earned 
and  charmed  so  many  thousands.  In  the  midst  of 
his  hearty  harangue,  the  perverse  buss  turned  off 
Broadway,  the  very  street  that  contained  Tripler 
Hall !  "  Ho  !  stop,  let  me  out ! — can  I  never  get 
to  Tripler  Hall?  This  is  the  third  buss  I  have 
been  forced  to  jump  out  of,  for  none  of  them  go 
straight  up  Broadway  as  they  used  to  do."  The 
enthusiast  was  calmed  by  assurances  that  had  he  sat 
still  in  the  first  buss  he  would  have  got  to  Tripler 
Hall,  and  that  a  fellow-passenger  would  show  him 
where  to  alight.  At  last  the  important  moment  ar- 
rived. Buss  had  again  found  its  way  to  its  favorite 
street,  and  the  Buffalo  gentleman  rushed  out,  and 
rushed  into  the  scene  of  Jenny  Lind's  well-merited 
triumphs,  as  if  he  certainly  expected  at  least — 

"  A  shade  of  song,  a  spirit  air 
Of  melodies  that  had  been  there." 

More  comfortable  dwellings,  either  for  ventilation 
in  summer's  heat,  or  for  warmth  in  winter's  cold,  are 
nowhere  to  be  found  in  the  world  than  in  New 
York.  By  means  of  having  open  doors  and  win- 
dows, so  that  the  morning  breeze  may  circulate  free- 


n 


THE   CITIES.  191 


ly  through  the  many  inlets  and  outlets  to  every 
chamber  and  hall,  and  then  before  the  sun  comes 
round  in  his  fervor,  excluding  his  rays  by  the  out- 
side green  Venetians,  the  house  is  kept  tolerably 
cool ;  till  evening  breeze  returns,  waving  the  lovely 
trees  which  line  the  footways,  and  inviting  its  ad- 
mission again  into  the  dwelling. 

The  furnace  in  the  basement  warms  every  corner 
in  winter,  perhaps  too  completely  for  health.  At 
least  in  our  country  we  are  used  to  feel  the  variation 
of  temperature  between  the  rooms  and  the  hall  or 
staircase,  or  between  one  room  and  another,  to  have 
rather  a  bracing  and  reviving  effect.  Besides,  the 
rush  of  the  sharp,  frosty,  outward  air  into  lungs 
which,  for  too  many  hours  of  the  day,  have  breathed 
nothing  but  the  dry,  hot  atmosphere  of  the  furnace, 
is  a  trial  too  great  for  so  delicate  a  texture  as  lungs 
are  made  of  This,  and  the  inadequate  defence  of 
the  feet,  have  often  been  accused  as  the  cause  of  the 
numerous  victims  to  lung  diseases — and  I  fear  with 
justice. 

There  is  "much  ingenuity  and  taste  displayed  in 
making  much  of  little  room.  Even  small  dwellings 
have  their  neat  flower  knot  behind,  and  their  grape- 
vine over  a  trellised  arch, — and  the  little  aviaries, 
conservatories,  and  green-houses,  in  very  unexpected 


192  THE  CITIES. 


corners  are  innumerable.  The  freedom  of  vegeta- 
tion gives  encouragement  to  planters.  It  is  some- 
times even  touching  to  see  a  tree,  which  has  been 
spared  in  the  building  of  five-story  warehouses, 
alive  in  its  dusty  and  dingy  recess,  and  fulfilling  all 
its  calling  of  bud,  blossom,  smiling  green  leaf,  and 
fruit-bearing.  I  have  looked  on  such  a  tree,  and 
compared  it  to  a  Christian  choked  up  in  worldly  so- 
ciety and  occupations,  yet  drinking  in  the  pure  dew 
of  the  Divine  Spirit,  living  and  refreshing  the  sur- 
rounding dreariness  by  his  presence. 

The  seclusion  of  mind  is  a  subject  on  which  I 
have  often  mused,  with  admiration  of  the  wisdom 
that  has  so  constructed  it.  The  looker-on  cannot 
tell  why  one  in  the  busy  multitude  that  flits  by  him 
laughs  and  another  weeps.  And  it  is  well  that  he 
cannot.  The  inmost  heart  of  himself  contains  evil 
enough  for  each.  And  even  its  hidden  joys  are 
such  as  might  exhale,  were  they  open  to  the  by- 
stander. 

Who  of  all  the  interested  parties  that  I  have 
happened  again  and  again  to  see  pressing  into  a 
"  Bank  for  Savings,"  or  seated  on  the  stoop  to  wait 
their  turn  to  enter,  could  guess  why  I  should  be 
fixed  to  the  spot,  or  why  my  tears  should  flow  at  the 
sight  ?     My  mind  flew  back  to  the  peaceful  parish 


THE   CITIES.  193 


of  Kuthwell,  and  there  I  saw  the  mild  and  patient 
pastor*  calculating,  and  planning,  and  writing  rules, 
and  correcting  them — and  at  last  setting  a-going  his 
new  scheme  of  a  Bank,  where  as  small  a  deposit  as 
one  shilling  was  to  be  accepted.  Then  I  saw  him 
smiling  good  cheer  as  he  stood  by  his  desk,  with  his 
great  ledger  before  him,  while  he  received  the  hard- 
earned  saving  from  the  horny  hand  that  earned  it. 
And  again  I  saw  him  subduing  his  natural  love  of  re- 
tirement, and  struggling  to  awaken  the  great  men  of 
the  land  to  the  value  of  the  scheme.  And  then  again  in 
London  toiling  to  secure  supporters  for  passing  a  Bill 
in  Parliament  for  the  protection  of  Savings'  Banks. 
And  all  this  was  past — and  he  who  for  years  la- 
bored for  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  his 
people  has  ceased  from  his  labors.  But  they  have 
spread — and  as  it  fell  out  in  Solomon's  day,  so  it 
befell  him  while  "no  man  remembered  the  same 
wise  man  whose  wisdom  saved  the  city," — cities  and 
nations  far  off  are  profiting  by  it.  Even  so !  he 
sought  not  fee  nor  reward  here,  but 

"  I  thank  Thee  for  the  quiet  rest 
Thy  servant  taketh  now, 
And  for  the  good  fight  fonghten  well, 
And  for  his  crowned  brow." 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Duncan,  author  of  the  "  Sacred  Philosophy  of 
the  Seasons." 

13 


Hotels  are  generally  well  managed,  and  in  excel- 
lent order.  In  frequenting  the  Temperance  houses, 
the  traveller  is  sure  of  society  of  one  stamp,  so  that 
the  conversation  he  may  enter  into  will  be  of  a  cor- 
rect, and  very  likely  of  an  improving  character. 

The  wholesome  "click"  of  the  ice  against  the 
water-pitchers  has  something  re-assuring  in  its  quiet 
sound,  and  the  gong,  giving  forth  its  musical  tone, 
first  in  the  distant  part  of  the  parallelogram,  then 
swelling  nearer,  till  it  passes  along  the  gallery  where 
your  own  chamber  is  situated,  and  then  again  sink- 
ing into  silence  at  the  farther  end,  summoning  all 
who  will  to  family  worship,  gives  cheering  token 
that  you  are  in  good  society.  It  is  very  pleasant  to 
meet  three  or  four  score  of  travellers  in  the  saloon 
by  seven  in  the  morning,  and  nine  at  night,  to  join 
in  a  hymn,  led  perhaps  by  a  son  or  daughter  of  the 
house,  accompanied  by  an  organ-toned  pianoforte. 
Then  to  hear  a  passage  of  holy  writ,  read  perhaps  by 
the  master  of  the  hotel,  and  to  join  in  a  prayer  by 


HOTELS   AND  BOARDING-HOUSES.         195 

him,  if  no  clergyman  be  present,  or  by  a  clergyman, 
without  reference  to  his  denomination,  or,  as  I  once 
chanced  to  hear,  by  a  senatoV.  How  calm  and  safe 
the  progress  of  a  day  so  entered  upon — and  how 
orderly  is  such  a  household,  even  though  it  numbers 
at  its  noonday  meal  nearly  two  hundred  guests. 
Enough  has  been  said  by  English  travellers  about 
the  amazing  celerity  with  which  Americans  dispatch 
their  food,  and  of  the  knife  nearly  going  down  the 
throat  after  it.  Though  I  had  no  chance  at  the  race 
in  eating,  I  generally  saw  many  persons  as  slow,  or 
slower  than  myself  One  day,  being  at  leisure  to 
observe  the  proceedings  of  my  neighbors,  I  saw  a 
very  respectable-looking  lady  reduce  one  half  of  an 
oval  slice  of  bread  to  the  shape  of  a  horse-shoe  by 
one  goodly  bite  that  she  took  out  of  the  middle. 
This  Jady  introduced  herself  to  mo  in  the  saloon, 
and — oh  Dickens — oh  TroUope — can  ye  bear  the 
dismal  truth — she  told  me  she  was  a  Londoner  ! 
Here  ended  my  discoveries  as  to  peculiarities  in  con- 
duct at  table.  A  gentleman  did  tell  me,  that  he 
saw,  at  a  New  York  hotel  dinner,  one  person  give 
his  fork  to  another,  with,  "  Just  stick  that  fork  into 
that  potatoe  for  me,  will  you  ?"  His  surly,  nnneigh- 
borly  neighbor  did  as  he  was  requested,  and  kft  it 
sticking  there.     This  was  a  most  ungracious  way  of 


196        HOTELS  AND   BOARDING-HOUSES. 

teaching  a  hasty  man  to  apply  to  the  waiter — yet  it 
might  be  useful. 

Waiters  are  always  abundant,  so  that  you  never 
hear  them  rung  for  or  called  in  an  impatient  tone. 
They  are  there,  and  know  what  you  want  as  soon  as 
you  do  yourself  In  Gradsby's,  at  Washington,  their 
mute  observant  attention — one  black  man  minister- 
ing to  the  wants  of  two  whites — was  really  too  af- 
fecting. One  could  not  eat — one  wanted  to  get  up 
and  set  them  down  and  wait  on  them.  They  were 
not  paid  for  their  services.  They  were  not  volun- 
teers in  your  cause.  They  could  not  go  away  if  you 
ill-used  them.  They  were  slaves !  They  looked 
sleek  and  tranquil,  however,  and  are  in  general  un- 
der mild  treatment  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

In  a  country  where  everybody  travels,  the  com- 
forts and  reasonable  charges  of  hotels  are  important. 
Some  of  the  arrangements  are  new  to  the  English. 
There  is  generally,  with  the  transient  visitors,  a  mix- 
ture of  those  who  make  a  permanent  residence  in 
the  house.  These  are  not  only  bachelors  and  young 
clerks,  but  young  married  people.  Those  who  pre- 
fer to  see  what  is  going  on,  linger  in  the  saloons  of 
an  evening  after  leaving  the  eating-room,  when  it 
often  happens  that  a  musical  guest,  or  a  professional 
person  will  play  and  sing  for  the  entertainment  of 


HOTELS  AND  BOARDING-HOUSES.         197 

the  company.  You  find  as  many  newspapers  as  can 
be  rescued  from  the  reading  and  smoking-rooms,  and 
a  few  books,  and  sometimes  ladies  have  their  work. 
It  is  hardly  deemed  courteous  to  write  letters  in  the 
saloon,  and  no  provision  is  made  for  that  in  the  way 
of  material.  At  best,  it  is  an  idle  life.  People 
seem  waiting  for  something  that  rarely  comes,  in  the 
way  of  disembarrassed  conversation,  something  bet- 
ter than  talk  got  up  for  the  occasion,  and  one  yawns 
and  drops  off,  and  then  another,  till  the  whole  house 
retires  to  early  repose. 

The  Boarding  House  is  not  for  the  acoonimoda- 
tion  of  travellers,  but  of  those  who  are  for  some  time 
from  home,  or  who  have  no  other  home.  In  busy 
cities,  and  at  watering-places,  there  are  thousands  so 
accommodated.  It  is  computed  that  25,000  stran- 
gers are  in  New  York  at  one  season  of  the  year, 
some  of  whom  may,  by  their  affairs,  be  obliged  to 
remain  a  considerable  time.  For  them,  at  least  for 
single  gentlemen,  the  boarding-house  may  be  more 
convenient  than  the  English  method  of  lodging. 
But  for  families,  and  for  a  permanency,  they  are  not 
calculated  to  promote  settled  habits,  or  cultivate 
home  enjoyments. 

It  often  happens  that  newly-married  people  choose 
that  homeless,  uncomfortable  method  of  beginning 


198        HOTELS  AND  BOAKDING-HOUSES. 

life,  induced  by  the  idea  that  it  is  more  economical 
and  less  troublesome  than  having  the  responsibilities 
of  a  house.  The  difficulty  of  procuring  "  helps,"  or 
rather  of*knowing  how  to  get  any  good  use  of  them 
when  procured,  is  another  reason  for  preferring  to 
board. 

The  effect  of  this  plan  on  the  mental  and  moral 
habits  appears  very  unsalutary,  and  is  silently  work- 
ing on  the  whole  of  society.  It  promotes  improvi- 
dent marriages,  as  people  marry  to  board,  who  could 
not  afford  to  keep  house.  It  promotes  selfishness, 
as  persons  who  are  all  paying  for  everything  alike, 
and  who — the  female  part  at  least — have  not  much 
to  occupy  them,  get  jealous  and  watchful  lest  others 
get  any  advantage  which  they  do  not  enjoy.  It 
promotes  epicurism,  as  there  must  be  a  table  kept 
beyond  the  style  of  the  real  circumstances  of  each 
individual ;  and  as  they  pay  for  it,  they  feel  that 
they  have  a  right  to  be  fastidious  and  critical.  It  is 
distressing  to  see  the  children's  greedy  eyes  roam 
over  all  the  dishes,  liking  this  and  hating  that,  and 
having  their  plates  heaped  with  all  manner  of  in- 
congruous things  to  prevent  their  disturbing  the 
company,  by  crying  or  exclaiming.  Besides  the 
little  creatures  get  the  manners  of  grown  persons, 
and  talk  away,  polite  and  agreeable  by  the  way,  but 


HOTELS  AND   BOAEDING- HOUSES.         199 

forward  and  in  an  unhealthy  attitude  withal.  I  re- 
member seeing  a  little  fellow  about  five  years  old, 
who  had  found  a  shining  button  with  a  broken  eye, 
go  the  round  of  a  large  saloon,  in  the  most  gentle- 
manly way,  inquiring  of  each  if  "  you  had  lost  that, 
as  he  had  found  it,  and  it  would  give  him  pleasure 
to  restore  it  to  you  if  you  could  claim  it." 

To  dwell  with  persons  in  whom  you  have  no 
special  interest,  or  whom  you  only,  or  hardly,  put  up 
with,  is  the  reverse  of  improving  to  the  heart.  For 
a  young  pair  to  begin  by  living  in  the  presence  of 
others,  when  their  first  year  is  required  to  learn 
each  other's  peculiarities,  and  how  to  assimilate  and 
how  to  forbear,  seems  not  merely  disagreeable,  but 
dangerous.  A  word,  a  look,  an  unintentional  neg- 
lect, may  in  the  early  stages  of  matrimonial  union, 
wound  deeply.  To  leave  the  wound  unrevealed,  or 
the  neglect  unexplained,  cannot  fail  to  make  the 
matter  worse.  In  such  a  case,  there  is  drooping  of 
spirits  and  repining,  or  what  is  still  more  danger- 
ous, there  is  sympathy  ofiered  by  some  officious  on- 
looker, and  accepted,  to  the  further  alienation  of  the 
sufferer.  How  long  in  this  way,  may  those  who  are 
really  attached  and  fitted  to  cherish  each  other,  be 
kept  apart ;  and  how  unlike  the  cheerful,  confiding 


200        HOTELS  AND  BOARDING-HOUSES. 

sociality  of  one's  own  fireside,  where,  according  to 
the  old  song, — 

•    "I  can  laugh  when  I'm  merry, 
And  sigh  when  I'm  sad." 

For  the  male  sex  the  evils  are  not  so  great,  as  they 
set  out  early  to  business,  and  are  engaged  the  chief 
hours  of  the  day.  But  the  females !  unless  they 
have  a  taste  for  study,  what  can  they  do  in  their 
chamber  but  attend  a  little  to  their  garments,  or 
gossip  a  little  with  the  lady  in  the  next  room? 
Happy  are  they,  if,  after  their  toilet  is  made,  they 
have  a  call  to  make,  or  an  errand  to  a  store,  and  an 
apology  for  causing  the  store-keepers  to  tumble  over 
their  goods,  little  to  their  advantage.  How  thus 
should  they  acquire  domestic  habits,  or  be  at  all 
more  prepared  to  "  go  to  housekeeping"  when  the 
time  comes,  than  they  were  at  the  outset  ?  They 
cannot  know  what  to  expect  from  servants,  nor  how 
to  manage  their  tempers,  nor  how  to  show  them  what 
they  do  not  know.  One  has  actually  heard  of  peo- 
ple returning  to  the  boarding-house  system,  because 
they  could  not  find  any  comfort  in  a  house  of  their 
own  !  Anything  like  the  domestic  altar,  and  family 
order,  with  all  the  consequent  and  useful  responsi- 
bilities are  prevented  by  this  plan.     Young  persons 


HOTELS  AND  BOAKBING-HOUSES.        201 

are  thrown  in  each  other's  way,  that  had  better  never 
have  met;  and  the  children  cannot  be  well  kept 
apart,  however  averse  the  parents  of  one  family  may 
be  to  the  manners  and  training  of  another. 

The  young  men  are  driven  to  frequent  places  of 
public  amusement,  because  they  have  no  private 
apartment  in  the  house,  or  do  not  like  the  people 
they  meet  in  those  which  are  public.  For  their 
sakes  the  Sermons  to  young  men  are  very  well  de- 
vised. It  was  pleasant  to  see  many  hundreds  of 
them  occupying  quiet,  comfortable  seats,  and  listen- 
ing to  saving  truths,  eloquently  delivered. 

It  was  the  custom  in  earlier  days,  when  the  States 
were  in  the  colonial  stage  of  their  existence,  for  the 
families,  when  the  cares  of  day  were  over,  to  dress 
and  sit  upon  the  piazza,  conversing,  cooling  them- 
selves, and  frolicking,  as  the  humor  took  them  ;  and 
rare  tales  are  told  of  that  olden  time,  when  wary 
parents  could  not  preserve  the  hearts  of  lovely 
daughters  from  being  wounded  by  the  archer  who 
has  slain  his  thousands.  One  that  particularly  took 
my  fancy  may  be  related.  A  youth  saw  some  fair 
sisters  in  a  milliner's  shop,  got  desperate  in  his  ad- 
miration of  one  of  them,  and  there  and  then  made 
up  his  mind  that  he  would  have  her  to  wife,  though 
the  stars  should  be  against  him.     He  learnt  their 


202        HOTELS  AND  BOARDING-HOUSES. 

name,  and  by-and-bye  discovered  their  residence, 
and  the  stoop  that  was  so  happy  as  to  afford  them 
evening  refreshment.  He  put  on  his  best  looks — 
and  they  were  very  good,  as  his  portrait  indicates — 
and  his  best  manners.  He  passed  and  repassed,  as 
if  in  search  of  gome  one,  and  then  with  a  very  hon- 
est-looking apology  for  interrupting  their  pleasant 
conversation,  inquired  for  Dr.  Somebody.  The 
ladies  had  never  heard  of  him.  "  Well,  but  he  must 
be  thereabout ;"  and  so  he  pursued  his  search,  and 
presently  returning,  told  them  that  it  had  been  to 
no  purpose.  When,  an  evening  or  two  after,  he 
was  passing,  he  could  not  do  less  than  salute  the 
fair  group  ;  and  so  he  continued,  till  he  was  invited 
to  mount  the  steps ;  and  thus,  the  Rubicon  being 
surmounted,  the  rest  went  on  as  it  were  of  course, 
and  ended  "  as  merry  as  a  marriage-bell."  Their 
descendants  tell  the  tale  with  as  much  pleasure  as  a 
hero  relates  his  battles,  or  a  traveller  his  adventures. 
These  evening  frolics  of  the  stoop  having  become 
out  of  date,  something  like  a  substitute  for  them  has 
arisen.  In  winter,  ladies  who  have  been  all  day  in 
their  walking  dresses,  will  about  tea-time  polish 
themselves  a  little,  not  knowing  who  may  step  in ; 
but  as  evening  is  the  leisure  time  of  the  young  gen- 
tlemen, the  belles  are  sure  of  seeing  some  one. 


HOTELS  AND  BOARDING-HOUSES.        208 

About  eight  o'clock  one  and  another  drops  in,  and 
the  sparks  of  lively  and  gleeful  repartee  which  are 
instantly  kindled  in  the  company,  partake  still  a  little 
of  the  humors  of  the  stoop.  One  was.  glad  to  see 
the  young  men  escaping  from  their  desks  and  from 
the  dreariness  of  their  boarding-house  to  mingle  for 
an  hour  among  fireside  harmonies,  which  might  re- 
mind them  how  it  was  with  them  before  they  quitted 
the  old  roof-tree  of  home,  or  lead  them  to  hope  how 
it  may  be  again  with  them  when  prosperous  circum- 
stances permit  them  in  turn  to  become  family  men. 

No  stronger  or  more  painful  evidence  exists  of 
the  migratory  habits  of  the  natives,  and  of  the  mul- 
titude of  homeless  emigrants,  than  is  daily  witnessed 
in  the  dead-letter-room  of  the  General  Post  Office 
at  Washington. 

Weekly,  columns  of  the  newspapers  in  every  city, 
contain  lists  of  unclaimed  letters,  and  thus  they  are 
not  sacrificed  without  exertion  to  bring  owners  and 
their  letters  together.  When  that  fails  they  are 
finally  congregated  at  the  centre  of  government,  and 
consigned  to  that  chamber  from  which,  as  from  a 
condemned  cell,  they  only  come  forth  to  suffer  the 
extreme  sentence  of  the  laws.  It  was  a  sad  sight, 
that  spacious  hall  full  of  letters.  The  surrounding 
table  behind  which  sat  the  busy  gentlemen,  whose 


204        HOTELS  AND  BOAKDING-HOUSES. 

irksome  task  it  is  to  open  them,  were  covered  with 
letters — so  were  the  desks  and  shelves  by  the  walls 
— so  was  the  floor,  where  they  were  heaped  up  like 
a  little  hay-rick,  their  secrets  all  torn  open  and 
thrown  down  like  common  things.  On  one  side  is 
suspended  on  a  machine  a  large  sack,  the  receiver  of 
these  opened  papers ;  which,  when  it  is  stuffed  hard 
and  fast  till  it  can  contain  no  more,  is  succeeded  by 
another  and  another,  and  then  having  sacks  enough 
to  load  a  cart,  they  are  sent  off  to  the  common  to  be 
consumed.  The  idea  of  the  manner  in  which  such 
things  are  managed  in  my  own  city,  arises  in  painful 
contrast  to  the  mind.  There  a  mis-directed  order  to 
a  tradesman,  or  inquiry  about  a  servant,  or  any  tri- 
fling paper,  comes  back  to  the  writer  reverently 
sealed  and  enveloped  with  a  printed  "  On  Her  Ma- 
jesty's Service,"  and  a  "  not  found,"  or  "  removed," 
or  "  dead,"  marked  on  it.  The  hasty  inquiry,  why 
is  not  this  done  here  7  rises  to  the  lips.  But  it  need 
not  be  uttered — a  minute's  reflection  brings  the  an- 
swer. The  country  is  vast.  The  States  are  many. 
Favorite  names  are  repeated  on  many  cities,  towns, 
and  villages,  till  you  may  find  ten  places  known  by 
the  same  name.  If  the  letter-writer  omits  to  add 
the  name  of  the  State  also,  there  are  nine  chances 
against  the  letter  finding  its  owner.     Then  the  mul- 


HOTELS  AND   BOARDING-HOUSES.         205 

titude  of  blundering,  of  illegible,  of  nonsensical  ad- 
dresses is  incalculable,  what  can  they  do  ?  If  they 
cannot  convey  them  as  they  gladly  would,  the  next 
best  thing  is,  after  a  competent  time,  to  destroy 
them. 

The  heap  was  a  sad  one.  Sheets  overflowing  in 
fine  delicate  writing.  How  much  beautiful  sentiment 
might  be  there !  Sheets,  out  of  which  had  been 
plucked  pretty  little  stockings,  boots,  gloves,  muffa- 
tees,  collars,  purses,  all  such  small  love-gages  as  you 
could  imagine  wrought  by  kind  grandmothers,  and 
loving  aunts  and  sisters,  meant  for  a  far  different 
destination  than  a  transient  rest  on  the  letter-open- 
er's shelves.  In  one  case  there  was  a  large  envelope 
filled  with  loam.  What  could  it  be  ?  Was  it  the 
specimen  of  the  soil  of  a  field  to  be  purchased  ?  Was 
it  sacred  earth  to  plant  some  cherished  flower  in  ? 
Was  it  from  Jerusalem  1  "  Her  very  dust  to  them  is 
dear."  None  could  tell.  The  informing  paper  was 
extracted  and  consigned  to  the  ever-gathering  heap. 

"  But  should  he  write  and  I  not  get  it, 
'Twere  but  a  paper  lost." 

True,  but  a  paper  that  might  relieve  some  home- 
sick heart — a  paper  that  might  reveal  the  truth 
which  has  for  months  been  longed  for.     A  paper 


206        HOTELS  AND  BOARDING-HOUSES. 

fraught  with  weighty  messages  of  joy  or  woe  to 
somebody.  It  was  not,  however,  the  beautifully 
written  and  well-filled  sheets,  that  one  felt  most  dis- 
posed to  be  sentimental  over.  The  active  pen  which 
wrote  these  will  write  more.  The  next  will,  per- 
haps, be  more  fortunate.  But  the  rough  uncourtly 
paper,  the  awkward,  unaccustomed  penmanship. 
The  sheet  bought  for  one  penny  after  a  month's 
thinking  about  it — ^the  letter  written  with  pains  and 
much  trouble,  and  then  carefully  posted  in  a  far-ofiF 
land,  which  was  once  his  home^  to  tell  "  Sandy,"  or 
"  Patrick,"  that  his  parents  still  live  and  think  of 
him,  or  that  "  Janet"  or  "  Kathleen"  would  still  be 
in  the  mind  to  come  out  and  redeem  her  long 
plighted  troth,  as  soon  as  he  can  remit  the  dollars — 
the  "  yours  till  death."  Is  it  lost  to  him  that  all 
important  document !  Is  it  to  perish  on  the  com- 
mon at  that  auto  dafe  ! 

Is  there  no  means  to  avoid  these  sad  inflictions  1 
Will  they  not  cease  until  all  the  emigrants  have 
gone  over,  and  all  the  restless  dwellers  in  the  States 
have  settled  down,  and  all  the  correspondents  have 
learnt  to  write  legibly  ?  Who  can  tell ;  but  proba- 
bly the  melancholy  heap  would  be  reduced  to  one 
half  its  present  size  if  it  were  more  the  custom  to 
live  in  their  own  houses,  so  that  people  might  have 


HOTELS  AKD  BOARDING-HOUSES.        207 

homes,  instead  of  flitting  about  as  they  do  from  one 
boarding-house  to  another. 

The  children  bom  and  brought  up  in  boarding- 
houses,  will  never  look  back  on  the  domestic  hearth, 
and  the  lively  nursery,  as  they  do  who  are  born  at 
home.  Regret  is  the  deeper,  when  one  thinks  of  a 
people  so  essentially  Saxon,  and  so  full  of  fireside 
charities  as  the  Americans  are,  thus  imperceptibly 
dropping  into  Galilean  manners  ;  kindling  many  an 
alluring  ignis  fatuus,  and  quenching  or  neglecting 
the  very  light  of  life. 

When  our  good  ship  after  many  days'  digging  and 
snorting  her  way  through  cross-winds,  and  a  stormy 
ocean,  reached  smoother  water,  and  caught  the  first 
glimpse  of  the  Neversinks,  it  was  delightful  to  ob- 
serve mutual  gratulations,  and  talk  about  expectant 
relatives  who  will  be  listening  for  the  gunfire,  or  for 
the  news-boys,  and  about  which  will  wait  at  home^ 
and  which  will  fly  down  to  the  dock,  &c.  Every 
one  became  lively,  and  some  musical.  One  gentle- 
man sung  "  home,  sweet  home,"  and  all  seemed  to 
sympathize.  A  lady  who  could  not  speak  English, 
and  whose  seat  was  by  me  at  dinner,  had  often  en- 
dured such  French  as  my  benevolence  induced  me 
to  inflict  on  her.  "  What  is  that  ?"  she  inquired, 
"  home — home — ^je  ne  comprends  pas  '  home,  sweet 


208        HOTELS  AND  BOAKDING-HOUSES. 

home.'"  It  was  strange  to  have  the  conviction 
forced  on  me,  that  among  all  the  elegant  and  copious 
"  tournures"  of  the  French  tongue,  there  is  no  word 
to  express  the  idea  of  home  any  more  than  there  is 
that  of  comfort.  "  Cela  veut  dire,"  replied  I,  "  chez 
soi."  "  Pardon,  Madame,  chez  soi  qu'est  ce  que 
cela  veut  dire  ?"  "  On  est  bien  aise  de  rentrez  chez 
soi.  On  le  trouve  bien  doux  de  revenir  a  la  maison 
chez  soi — chez  soi" — "  Ah,"  said  she  with  a  disap- 
pointed shrug,  "  chez  soi,  et  voili  tout !"  Woe 
worth  the  day  when  its  boarding-houses,  however 
useful  and  pleasant  an  accommodation  they  be  to 
strangers,  have  become  all  the  "  home"  Americans 
know,  and  when  they  shrug  and  say  "  Chez  soi  et 
voil^  tout"  of  "  Home,  sweet  home." 


€^i  SnnuBtirs. 

If  the  descriptions  of  foreign  travellers  be  not 
exaggerated,  and  some  of  the  scenes  of  domestic 
life  to  be  found  in  periodicals,  painted  by  native 
pencils,  be  not  for  effect's  sake  colored  too  highly, 
we  must  suppose  that  housekeepers  have  their  own 
difficulties  in  "  getting  along,"  and  that  society  is  at 
present  in  the  attitude  of  an  inverted  pyramid,  the 
apex  much  in  danger  of  being  bruised  flat  and 
mingled  with  the  superincumbent  weight  of  its  base. 
Nevertheless,  we  English  are  not  in  a  condition  to 
judge  the  matter  unless  we  take  in  various  consid- 
erations, which  require  to  be  searched  about  for, 
and  hunted  out  of  unsuspected  quarters.  In  a 
newspaper  account  of  a  trial,  you  may  see  how  a 
scavenger  in  the  witness-box  states  that  "  when  he 
first  observed  the  gentleman  he  was  filling  the  dung- 
cart  ;"  or  in  visiting  that  dreary  police-prison,  "  the 
Tombs,"  a  name  as  dreary  as  itself,  you  will  be 
gravely  told,  "  The  lady  in  this  cell  is  not  connected 
14 


210  THE   DOMESTICS. 

with  me,  we  only  live  together  for  the  present." 
You  might  almost  think  they  were  associated  to- 
gether by  choice.  The  "  lady,"  your  informant,  has 
huge  glittering  ear-rings,  and  jet-black  ringlets,  and 
the  "  lady,"  her  "  associate  for  the  present,"  has  an 
ugly  black  eye,  however  she  came  by  it.  With  this 
view  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  we  may  begin  to  sus- 
spect  that  it  is  not  the  pyramid  of  society  which 
has  suffered  inversion,  but  the  old  ordering  of  lan- 
guage. Suppose  this,  and  your  astonishment  ceases, 
when  you  hear  that  a  person  rings  at  your  door  and 
asks  if  "  the  woman  of  the  house  be  at  home,  for  I 
am  the  lady  that  have  come  to  help  her  (to)  cook." 
Another  circumstance  we,  as  lookers-on,  have  to 
learn.  In  that  coimtry,  so  plentifully  supplied  with 
luxurious  food,  there  are  no  distinctions  made  be- 
tween what  is  consumed  in  the  dining-room  and  the 
hall.  No  fruits  are  so  costly  or  rare  as  to  be 
treasured  up  to  appear  again  on  the  family  table. 
There  are  no  viands  which  the  domestics  are  pro- 
hibited to  touch.  A  lady  receives  without  surprise, 
as  an  explanation  why  her  bell  has  been  so  long  un- 
answered, that  her  waiting-woman  had  not  had  any- 
thing comfortable  since  breakfast,  and  was  finishing 
a  glass  of  jelly  recommended  to  her  by  the  house- 
keeper. 


THE  DOMESTICS.  211 

In  two  houses  situated  in  cities  many  hundred 
miles  apart,  the  following  little  incident  has  sur- 
prised me : — The  children  had  been  allowed  to  sit 
up  late  to  see  the  guests.  They  had  hid  good- 
night and  gone  away,  but  presently  returned,  and 
when  on  a  second  or  third  return,  mamma  was 
troubled  and  inquired,  she  had  for  reason  what  she 
seemed  to  receive  as  satisfactory,  that  nurse  was 
having  her  ice,  and  could  not  come  till  she  was 
ready.  That  part  of  the  company's  supper  would 
have  been  spoiled  for  nurse's  taste  if  she  first  put 
her  charge  to  bed.  If  this  arises  from  the  good- 
tempered  indulgence  of  the  mistress,  I  venture  to 
think  it  is  carried  beyond  discretion.  If  she  cannot 
help  herself,  there  is  need  for  amendment  in  the 
order  of  things. 

A  lady  told  me  what  befel  her  brother  in  the 
"  far  West."  Let  it  be  always  remembered,  that  the 
state  of  things  there  is  so  new  and  utterly  different 
from  the  east,  and  the  West  seems  so  indefinitely 
far,  that  eastern  people  do  not  shrink  from  criticiz- 
ing manners  and  notions  there,  and  are  also  ready 
to  invite  the  observations  of  strangers. 

The  brother  was  a  young  lawyer  who  had  left  a 
rising  city,  the  scene  of  his  labors,  and  gone  to 
ruralize  in  his  clearing,  where  his  house  and  its  ap- 


212  THE   DOMESTICS. 

pliances  were  as  comfortable  as  is  usual  in  such 
circumstances.  Some  of  his  brethren  of  the  bar 
met  him  at  the  assizes  and  told  him  they  were  com- 
ing to  see  his  settlement  and  dine  with  him  next 
day.  The  friendly  youth  hastened  home  intent  on 
his  hospitalities,  intending  that  never  heartier  din- 
ner smoked  on  board,  than  should  grace  his  to- 
morrow. He  was  sorely  disconcerted  to  find  that 
his  housekeeper  had  gone  home,  without  leave  or 
warning.  He  rode  from  clearing  to  clearing,  seek- 
ing "help."  But  none  was  to  be  had,  as  everybody 
was  as  independent  and  averse  to  servitude  as  him- 
self. He  was  musing  on  his  own  talent  for  roast- 
ing turkey  and  boiling  ham,  and  about  to  return 
crestfallen  and  discomfited  to  receive  his  friends, 
when  a  damsel  compassionated  his  case  so  as  to  pro- 
pose to  "  go  cook"  on  condition  of  being  at  table 
with  the  guests,  as  she  would  be  no  man's  servant, 
and  had  never  cooked  a  dinner  of  which  she  had  not 
partaken.  The  terms  were  gladly  accepted.  With- 
out doubt  her  independent  character,  and  the  Amer- 
ican respect  for  the  female  sex,  secured  her  becom- 
ing treatment,  but  one  feels  persuaded  that  the 
awkwardness  of  her  position  must  have  produced 
some  quarrel  between  the  compassion  and  the  dig- 
nity which  had,  when  united,  placed  her  in  so  new 


THE   DOMESTICS.  213 

and  curious  a  situation.  This,  however,  it  must  be 
re-urged,  was  in  the  far  West. 

Another  circumstance  which  never  could  have 
occurred  in  England  may  be  related. 

On  a  very  stormy  and  cold  Sunday,  having  caught 
cold  at  morning  church,  I  resolved  to  remain  by  the 
fireside  in  my  chamber  in  the  afternoon,  and  pur- 
posely invited  a  young  Scotch  woman  to  come  to  me, 
when  all  should  be  gone  to  church.  She  was  a 
stranger,  and  a  sudden  and  early  widow,  and  but 
for  the  benevolence  of  the  friends  I  visited,  would 
have  been  without  a  shelter.  I  wished  to  discuss 
her  prospects,  to  let  her  tell  her  troubles,  and  take 
the  great  relief  to  a  full  heart,  if  she  needed  it,  of 
having  a  good  hearty  cry  beside  me.  I  wished  to 
try  to  lead  her  to  the  only  consolation  which  will 
never  fail,  and  to  tell  her  of  the  faithfulness  of  the 
widow's  Grod.  She  had  scarcely  been  persuaded  to 
take  a  seat,  when  the  old  housekeeper  introduced 
herself  uninvited.  When  asked  quietly  if  she  want- 
ed anything,  she  said  it  was  very  cold,  she  wished  to 
put  more  wood  on  the  fire.  After  she  had  done 
this,  she  deliberately  drew  forward  a  rocking-chair, 
established  herself  in  the  centre  of  the  hearth,  and 
began  to  tell  me  of  the  ignorance  of  my  young  coun- 
trywoman, who,  when  she  first  came,  would  have 


214  THE   DOMESTICS. 


dined  with  the  colored  people  if  she  had  not  been 
there  to  rescue  her  from  such  a  disgrace.  When 
asked  what  harm  it  would  have  done  her  if  she  had, 
she  seemed  to  discover  that  all  people  from  Caledo- 
nia were  alike  savage  in  their  ideas,  and  said,  "  She 
was  a  native  American,  they  all  knew  better  than  to 
associate  with  si(£h ;  keep  them  at  a  distance — if  you 
give  them  an  inch,  they  will  take  an  ell.  She  had 
rather  eat  all  her  meals  standing  in  her  own  bed-room 
all  her  life  than  eat  with  one  of  them."  "  Well, 
now,  that  seems  strange  to  me, — cook  is  dark,  every 
morsel  you  eat  comes  through  colored  hands ;  and 
Ben  and  Will  that  wait  at  table  do  everything  for 
us,  and  I  don't  feel  that  we  get  any  harm  from 
them."  "  Wait !  yes,  that's  another  thing — ^keep 
them  under,  and  they  do  well  enough ;  but  let  them 
once  look  up  the  least  bit,  and  there's  an  end  of 
them — they  won't  do  no  more  good  after  that." 
"  What  will  you  say  when  I  tell  you,  I  have  dined 
at  table  with  a  colored  gentleman,  and  found  him 
well-bred,  well-informed,  and  a  true  Christian." 
The  old  lady  rose  from  her  seat,  and  I  expected  she 
was  going  to  avoid  my  pestilent  society,  but  she  re- 
considered the  matter,  and,  to  my  regret,  re-seated 
and  re-rocked  herself  "  Well,  he  might  be  a  Chris- 
tian, I  believe  some  on  them  are."     "  If  they  are 


THE   DOMESTICS.  215 

then  our  heavenly  Father  does  not  dislike  darkies 
as  you  do."  "  No,  to  be  sure,  for  He  made  them." 
"  And  if  they  get  to  heaven,  and  you  get  to  heaven, 
what  will  you  do  about  them  there  ?"  "  Oh  !  that 
will  be  all  settled  when  the  time  comes."  With 
such  troublesome  converse  did  the  aged  domestic  ob- 
trude herself  upon  me  in  my  own  chamber,  till  I 
proposed  to  read  to  them,  and  then  she  fell  asleep. 
My  unbidden  guest  was  awakened  by  the  return 
from  church  of  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  was,  and 
still  is,  unconscious  of  having  committed  what  was 
in  my  eyes  a  most  unwonted  act.  It  must  be  con- 
fessed that,  though  she  received  no  invitation  or  en- 
couragement, yet  after  she  had  come,  my  curiosity 
was  excited  to  see  how  such  a  visit  might  turn,  so 
that  I  gave  no  indication  of  annoyance  at  her  pres- 
ence. 

In  spite  of  these  manners,  which,  though  not  what 
we  are  used  to,  we  are  not  entitled  to  pronounce 
upon  as  being  bad,  servants  seem  to  do  all  that  is 
expected  of  them,  at  least,  so  far  as  a  visitor  might 
observe.  The  only  thing  we  found  difficulty  about, 
was  how  to  get  our  shoes  cleaned.  Mine  were  laid 
on  the  hearth  day  by  day,  where  the  housemaid  in 
making  the  fire  must  be  obliged  to  see  and  remove 
them.     That  did  not  procure  a  brushing.     I  have 


216  THE   DOMESTICS. 

put  them  outside  the  chamber-door,  and  seen  them 
kicked  about  and  tumbled  over,  still  the  soil  was 
left  on  them.  I  have  put  them  on  again,  wondering 
if  no  ragged  school-boy,  with  red-flannel  shirt,  and  a 
blacking-box  might  be  found  in  the  streets  as  in  Lon- 
don— and  if  iound,  how  one  could  employ  him.  In 
short,  where  all  besides  was  hospitality,  comfort,  and 
elegance,  there  stood  your  boots  with  the  mud  of  yes- 
terday in  bright  brown  rims.  When  at  last  the  favor 
was  asked  to  have  them  brushed,  you  saw  an  expression 
of  countenance  which,  it  ought  to  be  told,  was  never 
seen  on  any  other  occasion,  that  betrayed  that  some- 
thing about  this  one  service  is  offensive  or  disagree- 
able in  a  high  degree.  At  last  I  inquired  of  a  sen- 
sible lady  what  was  wrong,  and  was  told  that  shoe- 
cleaning  is  counted  an  office  so  menial,  that  it  is  be- 
neath the  dignity  of  freemen  to  condescend  to  such 
an  employment, — and  then  it  was  explained  why 
everybody  wore  India  rubbers,  or  highly-polished 
leather,  which  can  be  washed  with  soap,  water,  and 
a  sponge,  and  having  acquired  this  knowledge,  it  was 
easy  to  possess  oneself  of  the  means  of  having  com- 
fortable feet  again. 

A  gentleman  whom  I  knew  slightly  in  early  days 
was  far  too  much  of  a  democrat  in  his  notions  of 
government  to  put  up  with  such  freedom  as  is  to  be 


THE   DOMESTICS.  217 

had  under  a  limited  monarchy,  and  spuming  his  na- 
tive shores,  he  took  refuge  in  the  "  model  republic," 
that  he  might  be  entirely  free.  After  a  few  days' 
residence,  when  he  found  his  boots  perseveringly  left 
untouched,  he  got  his  first  lesson  on  the  impossibility 
of  having  all  things  ordered  to  his  liking  even  in  a 
republic.  He  asked  in  a  haughty  tone,  "  why  his 
boots  were  not  cleaned,"  when  he  was  told  by  a  dam- 
sel from  green  Erin,  that  he  "  did  not  suppose  she 
came  all  the  way  to  America  to  clean  shoes.  She 
was  as  good  as  he  was  here,  whatever  she  had  been 
at  home." 

It  really  seems  that  many  of  the  errors  as  to  what 
is  becoming  in  the  several  classes  of  society,  origi- 
nate more  with  the  extravagant  and  unfounded  ex- 
pectations of  the  new-comers,  than  with  those  who 
have  seen  the  light  first  under  a  republic.  The 
poor  Milesian,  who  seeing  a  goodly  pile  of  hams  at 
the  door  of  a  store,  said,  "  This  is  a  free  country — 
I'm  hungry — I'll  take  one,"  and  shouldering  it, 
walked  off,  was  stopped  by  the  policeman,  to  inquire 
how  he  came  by  it,  and  thus  got  proof  that  freemen 
have  rights,  peculiar  and  individual,  as  well  as  na- 
tions. 

If  we  balance  between  this  style  of  freedom,  and 
the  indolence  and  refusals  to  work  that  are  born  of 


218  THE  DOMESTICS. 

fulness  of  bread,  conceit,  and  pride,  I  suppose  the 
scale  will  turn  in  favor  of  the  wholesome  though  un- 
taught aspirants  after  the  dignity  of  independence 
rather  than  in  favor  of  the  pampered  minions  of  lux- 
ury. A  friend  of  my  own,  calling  in  London  on  an 
Earl,  was  admitted  by  the  lusty  porter,  but  having 
made  his  way  thus  into  the  outer  hall,  no  one  seemed 
prepared  to  help  him  onward.  He  saw  behind  a 
screen  four  powdered  lackeys  busily  engaged  at 
cards,  and  called  to  one  to  show  him  up  to  Lord 

,  when  presently  an  altercation   arose   about 

whose  turn  it  was  to  go  up,  and  who  had  answered 
the  last  bell.  It  should  be  stated  that  my  friend 
went  without  equipage,  his  great-coat  over  his  arm, 
in  as  simple  state  as  did  the  Bishop  of  Ohio,  when 
he  could  with  difficulty  find  admission  to  the  palace 
of  the  Bishop  of  London.  The  gentleman  began 
quietly  to  ascend  the  stairs,  saying,  "  I  shall  go  up 
to  the  library  and  tell  his  Lordship  that  his  people 
are  too  much  engaged  in  gambling  to  have  leisure  to 
show  his  guests  up."  This  produced  a  rush  among 
the  pampered  crew,  as  if  they  all  wished  to  share  the 
fatigue  and  interruption  occasioned  by  their  master's 
visitor. 

Is  there  not  more  of  mental  vigor  and  honesty, 
also,  in  the  American  struggle  after  independence, 


THE   DOMESTICS.  219 

even  where  its  true  character  is  mistaken,  than  in 
this? 

It  has  been  said  in  explanation  of  the  exceeding 
fragile  and  delicate  appearance  of  the  young  moth- 
ers, that  their  health  is  injured  by  the  ceaseless  ex- 
ertion and  anxiety  they  undergo  in  consequence  of 
not  obtaining  domestics,  especially  nurses,  in  whom 
they  can  confide.  Certain  it  is,  that  to  an  eye  ac- 
customed to  dwell  on  the  yigorous  aspect  and  rosy 
health  of  English  women,  there  is  pain  in  observing 
the  pallid,  languid  loveliness  of  many  of  the  women. 
The  eJBFect  was  such  on  me,  that  in  my  first  voyage 
up  the  Hudson,  when  I  saw  a  lady  rise  to  cross  the 
floor  of  the  saloon,  I  felt  inclined  to  offer  her  my 
help,  under  the  impression  that  she  had  just  recov- 
ered from  a  fever.  But  it  may  be  fairly  conjectured 
that  the  want  of  the  habit  of  taking  plenty  of  open 
air  exercise,  and  the  too  lavish  variety  of  foods,  af- 
fect the  health  more  than  domestic  exertions. 

The  simplicity  with  which  intelligent  and  lady- 
like women  go  about  their  affairs  at  home,  gave  me 
never-ceasing  pleasure.  Persons  of  the  same  rank 
in  Scotland  lend  a  hand  in  domestic  matters  on  oc- 
casion, as  they  do  in  America,  but  they  do  it  secretly, 
as  if  ashamed.  You  may  live  in  the  house,  and 
never  suspect  that  the  lady  washes  a  cup,  or  arranges 


220  THE   DOMESTICS. 

the  dessert  or  the  tea-cakes,  and  never  see  her  apron. 
While  the  American,  emancipated  from  the  ceremo- 
nies and  thraldoms  that  wind  themselves  by  degrees 
around  our  social  systems,  puts  on  a  sensible  apron, 
that  covers  her  all  round,  takes  her  pretty  oaken 
pail  with  its  shining  brass  hoops,  her  swab  (a  minia- 
ture of  the  implement  with  which  the  sailor  washes 
his  deck)  and  her  tray,  and  begins  operations  on  the 
breakfast  table,  inviting  you  not  to  withdraw,  but 
chat  with  her  while  she  puts  all  straight — it  being 
Monday,  her  maids  are  in  the  laundry.  This  is 
common  sense,  and  most  enjoyable,  putting  all  par- 
ties at  ease.  This  result  was  produced  most  effect- 
ually, and  in  a  naive  manner,  on  our  first  visit  to  an 
elegant  mansion  in  the  hill  country. 

A  party  of  eight  or  ten  had  made  an  incursion  on 
the  hospitable  family.  We  had  finished  a  most  cap- 
ital tea-supper,  consuming  animal  food,  tarts,  and 
preserves,  together  with  what  we  call  tea  in  England, 
and  were  amusing  ourselves  by  hearing  the  histories 
of  persons  whose  portraits  adorned  the  walls  of  the 
large  drawing-room.  When  the  bright  lady  seemed 
to  conclude  a  mental  deliberation  in  vocal  sounds, 
"  I  suspect  I  won't  mind  these  English  ladies  ;  the 
people  must  be  all  busy  to-night,  it's  Saturday,  so 
I'll  wash  the  cups."     With  that  her  page  was  called, 


THE   DOMESTICS.  221 

who  produced  all  the  needful  apparatus,  and  ran  to 
and  frOj  disposing  the  china  as  it  was  washed  in  the 
closets  with  glass  doors,  which  occupied  the  ante- 
room. While  we  were  not  deprived  of  the  brilliant 
sallies  of  the  washer,  which  doubtless  were  all  the 
more  lively,  that  she  had  no  uneasy  household  care 
restraining  her. 

Whatever  may  exist  in  the  interior,  the  difl&culty 
with  respect  to  servants  is  fast  vanishing  away  on 
the  seaboard,  under  the  amazing  influx  of  Irish  peo- 
ple. In  general,  they  make  capital  servants.  They 
are  quick  at  learning,  obliging,  and  cheerful ;  and, 
if  you  but  light  on  such  as  fere  trustful  and 
honest,  of  which  there  are  many,  you  will  be  very 
well  off".  I  have  seen  two  sisters  and  a  brother,  each 
I  think  having  come  over  singly,  serving  in  one  fam- 
ily, all  under  the  influence  of  true  religon  and  mem- 
bers of  a  church.  But  the  great  difl&culty  is,  that 
most  of  the  Irish  are  Romanists.  They  are  active 
and  industrious,  but  they  are  under  the  dominion  of 
the  priests.  They  go  to  confession,  and  then  what 
becomes  of  your  family  secrets  if  you  have  any? 
They  engaged  with  you  to  attend  family  worship, 
but  that  has  been  confessed  among  other  sins,  and 
from  that  first  confession  begins  their  prohibition. 
They  are  seen  no  more  at  mom  and  eve  bending  at 


222  THE  DOMESTICS. 

prayer  with  the  rest.  It  is  in  vain  that  resistance 
is  made ;  and  one,  otherwise  suitable  domestic  is 
dismissed  after  another,  with  the  resolution  that 
no  priest  shall  regulate  the  affairs  of  your  fam- 
ily. The  process  goes  on,  and  at  last  the  wearied 
mistress  gives  in,  and  punishes  herself  no  more  by 
sending  away  useful  helps. 

There  are  many  domestic  influences  silently  flow- 
ing from  these  popish  servants,  which  excite  doubt 
when  one  hears  the  cheerful  and  confident  assertions 
that  popery  must  expire  under  free  institutions, — 
that  it  is  expiring, — that  it  never  can  make  head  in 
the  United  States.  Is  it  doing  nothing  when  it  ban- 
ishes all  the  servants  from  a  share  in  domestic  reli- 
gious observances,  and  gets  your  people  away  at  the 
best  of  a  priest  to  attend  certain  funerals  and  keep 
certain  festivals,  whose  mysteries  are  unknown  to 
Protestants  1  I  heard  of  a  girl  complaining  to  her 
mistress  that  it  cost  her  four  dollars  out  of  her  last 
month's  wages,  to  pay  for  carriages  and  attend  fu- 
nerals of  people  whom  she  did  not  know,  but  whom 
the  priest  wished  to  have  buried  respectably.  Is  it 
nothing  to  have  a  person  in  your  nursery,  who  instead 
of  singing  to  her  charge  a  hymn  about  the  Saviour, 
will  teach  them  a  "  Hail  Mary  !"  Is  it  nothing  to 
have  them  do  what  I  saw  done  by  a  very  respectably 


THE   DOMESTICS.  223 

dressed  nurse  in  the  Cathedral  at  Baltimore,  while 
we  were  walking  round  to  examine  the  paintings. 
She  led  her  little  girl  to  the  holy-water  font,  and 
signed  her  with  the  cross.  She  led  her  to  a  pew, 
and  taught  her  to  kneel  quietly  while  she  recited  her 
paternoster.  She  led  her  to  the  altar,  and  made 
her  bend  her  knees  before  the  picture  of  a  saint ; 
I  forget  if  it  were  the  Mother  of  Jesus  or  not. 
And  again,  as  they  went  out,  she  crossed  the  dear 
little  one  with  holy-water.  Walking  along  the  street 
beside  them  on  coming  out,  the  child  put  out  her 
little  hand  confidingly  to  one  of  our  party,  and  cheer- 
fully trotted  along  when  the  hand  was  taken;  the 
nurse  explaining  that  the  little  one  had  recently  lost 
her  mother,  and  imagined  that  as  we  were  in  mourn- 
ing we  must  belong  to  her.  One  did  not  know 
whether  more  to  pity  the  nurse  whose  zeal  was  so 
true  and  yet  so  dark,  or  the  motherless  one  who  was 
under  the  tender  training  of  an  honest  but  misguided 
woman. 

Is  popery  having  no  influence,  when  in  accordance 
with  its  usual  treachery^  it  insinuates  female  Jesuits 
— lay  sisters — ^now  into  this  family,  now  into  that, 
in  the  guise  of  domestics,  to  learn  family  secrets  and 
discover  vulnerable  characters  ?  There  are  alarming 
revelations  made  from  the  confessional  of  William 


224  THE  DOMESTICS. 

Hogan,  quondam  Roman  Catholic  priest  in  Ireland 
and  America. 

Thoughtless  and  worldly  parents  who  send  their 
children  to  convents  to  procure  for  them  cheap 
and  elegant  education,  expose  them  without  the 
guard  of  previous  instruction,  to  the  eye-attracting 
and  sense-deluding  power  of  popery.  If  there  he 
found  in  the  character  the  devotional  element ;  and 
if  life  in  its  early  stages  is  shaded  by  disappoint- 
ment, or  its  occupations  be  found  unsatisfying,  how 
readily  does  thought  revert  to  the  tranquillity  of  the 
nunnery  and  the  narratives  of  the  sisterhood  about 
their  world-exclusive  happiness.  Home  has  taught 
them  nothing  of  true  religion,  they  naturally  take 
refuge  in  all  the  religion  they  know  anything  of 
without  discerning  that  it  is  false,  and  thus  we  hear 
of  not  a  few  of  the  educated  classes  falling  into  that 
snare. 

An  instance  of  the  way  this  quiet,  insinuating 
poison  works,  was  the  talk  of  a  wide  circle  while  we 
were  in  the  United  States.  The  story  reached  us 
but  one  remove  from  the  parties  acting  in  it,  and 
we  ha(i  reason  to  know  its  leading  features  to  be  true, 
from  many  other  quarters. 

An  interesting  young  lady,  who  longed  for  more 
satisfying  enjoyments  than  could  be  derived  from  a 


THE  DOMESTICS.  226 


heattless  round  of  gayety,  obtained  leave  of  her  pa- 
rents to  retire  for  a  short  time  to  a  convent  merely 
to  rest  and  be  quiet.  The  nuns  and  confessors  plied 
their  vocation,  and  persuaded  the  poor  child,  that 
she  would  find  the  rest  she  sought  in  taking  the  vail. 
Her  figure  and  the  circle  she  moved  in,  rendered 
her  vows  a  circumstance  calculated  to  produce  a 
sensation  ;  and  heartily  did  the  vailed  and  black- 
serged  sisterhood  give  themselves  to  the  production 
of  a  grand  tour  de  theatre  at  the  ceremonial  that  was 
to  accompany  her  renunciation  of  the  world.  They 
sent  for  the  dressmaker  who  had  adorned  her  for 
scenes  of  folly,  and  carefully  was  she  measured,  and 
minute  were  the  descriptions  of  the  white  satin,  and 
blond,  and  bows,  and  white  roses,  with  which  the 
bride  of  heaven  was  to  be  adorned  and  crowned,  to 
make  the  world  which  she  was  to  renounce  appear 
the  finer,  and  her  sacrifice  to  the  Church  the  greater. 
The  intimidated  dressmaker  heard  with  wonder  the 
volubility  of  the  sombre  sisterhood  on  blonds,  and 
festoons,  and  rosettes,  and  at  last  inquired  if  she 
ordered  all  these  fine  things  at  a  store,  in  whose 
name  must  it  be  done  ?  who  was  responsible  for  the 
debt  she  was  to  incur  ?  The  Lady  Abbess  replied 
that  the  mother  of  the  young  lady,  who  was  cogni- 
zant of  and  consenting  to  the  whole  affair,  would 
15 


226  THE   DOMESTICS. 

'discharge  the  bill.  The  order  was  taken,  not  to 
the  store,  but  to  the  mother,  who  learnt  for  the  first 
time  the  gulf  on  the  brink  of  which  her  neglected 
child  stood.  And  so,  here  was  a  bold  lie  told  by 
the  head  of  a  religious  house  to  aid  in  entrapping 
the  seeker  of  true  peace. 

The  indignant  and  wrathful  father  went  to  the 
Nunnery  to  claim  his  child.  He  could  not  see  her, 
nor  could  she  be  given  up.  He  then  went  to  the 
Bishop,  where  he  again  met  with  a  refusal ;  and  it 
was  only  after  he  informed  the  Holy  Father  that 
his  child,  if  so  devoted,  would  become  a  burden  on 
the  Convent,  as  he  would  never  give  her  a  cent 
lest  she  should  bestow  it  on  them,  that  they  unloosed 
their  covetous  grasp,  and  suftered  her  to  return  to 
the  parental  home. 

It  is  very  true  that  many,  on  discovering  the 
treachery,  untruthfulness,,  and  despotism  of  popery, 
flee  from  it,  to  fall  untaught  into  the  power  of  In- 
fidelity, not  so  superstitious,  but  quite  as  unenlight- 
ened and  as  bold  in  evil  as  that  system  from  which 
they  have  escaped.  Surely  no  true  Protestant  can 
rejoice  in  such  falling  away  as  this.  As  politicians, 
both  parties  must  be  equally  unsound,  and  unfit  to 
bear  influence  in  the  affairs  of  a  Christian  nation. 
If  the  Infidel  votes  for  misrule,  and  the  Papist  for 


THE  DOMESTICS.  227 

the  dominion  of  Popery,  they  are  more  likely  to 
coalesce  with  each  other  to  gain  their  object,  than 
with  any  other  party  in  the  State.  The  Roman 
Catholic  Archbishop  is  understood  to  wield  com- 
plete authority  over  the  disposal  of  every  popish 
vote  in  the  city  ;  and  in  New  York,  if  I  was  rightly 
informed,  the  influence  of  Popery,  not  only  in  the 
municipal  government,  but  in  the  returns  to  the  Le- 
gislature and  Congress,  is,  for  the  present,  in  the 
ascendant.  It  is  so  by  Papists  going  with  the  party 
that  promises  most  to  favor  them.  Popery  acts  by 
no  fixed  rule.  Its  principles,  its  motives,  and  its  acts 
alike  shun  the  daylight  of  truth — and  hence  its  pow- 
er, and  the  danger  arising  from  it.  Its  power  works 
not  only  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ballot-box,  but  in  the 
sacred  sanctuary  of  the  homes  and  nurseries  of  the 
cities  ;  and  every  note  of  caution  on  the  subject,  how- 
ever feeble,  ought  to  be  deemed  friendly. 

The  same  methbd  of  hearing  where  servants  are 
to  be  found,  is  used  in  the  United  States  as  with 
us.  What  is  here  called  a  Register,  is  there  called 
an  Intelligence  Office.  But  in  either  case,  it  is  not 
persons  of  the  highest  character  that  need  to  enter 
their  names  in  such  lists.  The  numerous  strangers 
who  are  driven  to  extremities  before  they  find  sit- 
uations adopt  methods  of  seeking  them,  which  are 


228  THE   DOMESTICS. 


startling  and  new  to  visitors  in  the  country.  I  have 
been  repeatedly  stopped  in  the  streets  of  New  York 
with  the  question,  "  Do  you  want  any  help  ?"  fol- 
lowed up  with,  "  Well,  then,  do  you  know  any  family 
that  does  ?"  And  on  one  occasion  the  charm  of  a 
lovely  sunset  drive  amid  the  elegant  villas,  and 
shady  trees,  and  glancing  waters  of  Staten  Island, 
was  destroyed  for  me  by  the  address  of  a  nice-look- 
ing young  woman  on  that  subject.  She  rushed  out 
of  the  gate  of  a  handsome  house,  almost  under  our 
horses'  feet,  and  obtested  us  with  all  the  eloquence  of 
an  Irish  tongue,  to  stop,  to  listen,  and  to  procure 
her  a  place.  "  She  had  been  five  days  off  the  ocean. 
She  had  been  advised  to  come  to  this  Island,  be- 
cause it  was  full  of  respectable  families.  She  had 
gone  from  house  to  house  for  two  days.  No  one 
wanted  her — no  one  oared  for  her.  Och  hone  !  she 
was  homeless — she  was  penniless — she  was  friend- 
less. What  could  she  do  ?"  She  wrung  her  de- 
spairing hands,  and  her  tears  streamed  down  unwiped. 
We  told  her  of  Intelligence  OflBces — feeling  that 
they  were  but  poor  helps.  We  spoke  to  her  of  hope 
— of  asking  help  of  the  God  who  had  brought  her 
safely  across  the  sea — and  gave  her  what  would  se- 
cure her  a  few  nights'  lodgings,  but  left  her  where 
we  met  her,  weeping  on  the  road.     If  the  poor  stran- 


THE  DOMESTICS.  229 

ger  had  had  courage  to  leave  the  thronged  vicinity 
of  the  city,  she  would  doubtless  soon  and  gladly 
have  been  engaged  on  a  farm.  Yet  one  does  not 
wonder  that  the  heart  of  a  female  should  faint  and 
shrink  from  such  an  effort.  She  is  tempted  to  re- 
main in  the  crowd  by  the  likelihood  of  forming  an 
engagement,  and  she  likes  to  be  in  the  midst  of  her 
own  country  people. 

It  is  not  only  within  the  range  of  emigrant  ships, 
that  this  out-of-doors  and  from  house  to  house 
method  of  seeking  places  is  followed.  In  the  pretty 
town  of  Springfield.  Mass.,  a  very  respectable  look- 
ing middle-aged  person  addressed  to  me  the  same 
inquiry.  Being  desirous  of  knowing  if  really  good 
servants  adopt  such  a  method,  I  inquired  what  place 
she  desired  to  occupy.  She  replied,  that  she  had 
acted  as  cook,  and  as  laundress,  in  some  of  the  best 
houses  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  influx  of  people,  which  is  a  perpetual  stream, 
must  speedily  lessen  the  difl&culty  of  procuring,  and 
also  of  managing  "  helps." 


Nothing  in  America  comes  over  one's  feelings  as 
so  unlike  home,  as  the  manner  in  which  everything 
is  conducted  relating  to  the  burial  of  the  dead. 

On  our  landing  we  heard  that  the  earth  was  that 
day  to  receive  all  that  remained  of  a  venerable  and 
excellent  lady,  to  see  whom  was  one  of  the  day 
dreams  indulged  in  when  preparing  to  cross  the 
ocean.  She  had  been  born  in  a  house,  which  for 
many  years  was  my  happy  dwelling.  A  degree  of 
almost  romantic  sympathy,  had  existed  between  us, 
fostered  by  messages  and  pictures  of  her  early  home, 
so  that  the  news  that  I  should  not  see  her,  inflicted 
a  real  disappointment. 

The  next  best  thing,  was  to  honor  her  memory 
by  waiting  on  the  last  obsequies. 

So  much  are  we  the  children  of  habit,  that  the 
sight  of  a  polished  mahogany  receptacle  shrunk  me, 
as  if  there  were  an  absence  of  reverence  or  of  sor- 
row in  parting  with  her,  betrayed  in  the  very  color 


THE   FUNERALS.  231 

of  her  coffin.  It  is  true  I  had  seen  a  colored  coffin 
once — but  it  was  that  of  a  Russian  Princess,  cov- 
ered with  crimson  velvet,  and  bedizened  with  all 
the  blazoned  heraldry  which  the  death  within  mocks 
at,  and  holds  at  its  true  worth,  a  show  of  grandeur 
which  is  frequently  the  substitute  for  tears. 

What  was  my  amazement,  nay,  confusion,  that 
very  evening,  while  driving  through  the  brilliant 
streets,  to  see  whole  stores  set  forth,  with  coffins  of 
all  sizes  leaning  against  the  walls — one  black  to 
show  that  they  could  be  had  in  that  fashion,  all  the 
others  glancing  in  bright  polish,  and  some  with 
shining  rows  and  figures  of  yellow  nails.  Coffins 
tall  and  short,  for  aged  persons,  and  for  babes,  pat- 
tern coffins  for  dolls,  with  a  stand  in  the  centre  of 
the  room  covered  with  glass,  exhibiting  fashions  of 
last  garments  to  choose  from.  Everything  has  its 
fashion. — In  China  it  is  said  they  mourn  in  yellow. 
With  us  it  is  all  black,  deep  black,  according  to  the 
old  ballad — 

"  In  black  hung  the  kitchen, 
In  black  hung  the  hall, 
In  black  hung  the  dining-room, 
Parlor  and  all." 

Lament  for  Lady  Jane  Seymour. 

In  America  the  mourning  is  lighter,  briefer,  and 


232  THE   FUNEKALS. 

if  it  happens  not  to  suit,  black  garments  are  not 
assumed  at  all.  This,  in  certain  circumstances,  is 
very  right.  Many  a  poor  Scotch  family  will  run  in 
debt  rather  than  not  adopt  sable  decencies,  or  they 
will  abstain  from  public  worship  for  months,  rather 
than  attend  on  it  in  colored  clothes.  But  polished 
shining  coffins  !  a  show-room  of  them,  as  smart  in 
its  way  as  that  of  a  tailor  or  a  milliner  !  One  must 
have  lived  a  life-time  in  the  one  country,  and  then 
seen  the  other,  before  you  can  know  how  the  heart 
shivers  at  the  sight.  One  of  the  Broadway  stores 
you  will  find  still  open  at  midnight ;  its  lamp  still 
glaring  and  reflected  from  those  shining  surfaces 
into  the  outer  darkness,  and  a  man  the  watcher  of 
the  place,  seated  in  the  midst,  moving  his  head  in 
drowsy  noddings,  the  dreary  living  thing  present. 
Within  or  below  the  place  they  have  accommoda- 
tion for  the  remains  that  may  be  sent  there  under 
the  clouds  of  night.  Why  such  unwonted  provision  ? 
Is  it  not  enough  to  prepare  the  narrow  house  when 
it  is  needed  ?  and  may  not  the  clay  repose  where 
the  spirit  left  it,  till  the  hour  of  its  last  deposit  ? 
No,  it  does  not  suit — and  here  again  we  meet  the 
effect  of  boarding-house  living  and  dying.  The 
living,  and  healthy,  and  gay,  do  not  like  to  hear  of 
death  so  near  them.     Many  die  in  the  house  un- 


THE   FUNERALS.  233 

known  to  the  mass  of  the  boarders,  and  hence  the 
convenience  of  ready-made  coffins,  and  midnight  re- 
movals of  remains  to  the  undertaker's,  and  of  hasty 
funerals.  Thus  is  death  deprived  of  its  suitable  im- 
pression, and  the  solemn  thoughts  naturally  associ- 
ated with  a  spirit's  entrance  into  the  invisible  world 
are  dissipated.  People  seem  to  live  in  a  hurry, 
to  love,  to  die,  to  be  mourned,  and  in  too  many 
cases  to  be  forgotten  in  a  hurry,  which,  in  this  dy- 
ing world,  when  presently  it  will  be  said  of  each  of 
the  living,  "  and  he  died,"  is  an  unwise  condition. 

The  little  glass  door  opposite  the  face  in  the 
coffin  lid,  also  hurts  English  feeling.  It  seems  a 
compromise  between  the  popish  fashion  of  the  ex- 
posure of  the  body  dressed  as  in  life,  and  the  prot- 
estant  custom  of  closing  up  reverently  all  that  is 
left,  to  wait  the  sound  of  the  last  trumpet.  Were 
it  not  usual  to  inter  very  speedily,  this  exposure  of 
the  countenance,  which  seems  to  me  afflicting,  would 
probably  not  be  practised.  With  us  it  could  not  do 
at  all. 

In  the  middle  ranks  in  New  York  it  is  usual  for 
any  neighbors  that  choose  to  enter  the  house  of 
mourning,  and  look  upon  the  corpse.  A  Scotch 
lady  whose  feelings  revolted  against  such  an  exhibi- 
tion, said  she  was  forced  to  send  the  very  disobliging 


234  THE   FUNERALS. 


message  to  the  many  who  rung  her  bell,  that  she 
could  not  admit  strangers,  and  allowed  of  no  such 
custom.  She  observed  very  wisely,  that  she  feared 
such  familiarity  with  the  aspect  of  death,  had  rather 
a  hardening  than  a  softening  tendency,  and  that  she 
had  been  shocked  to  hear  young  girls  and  boys  re- 
marking on  the  "  natural"  or  "  life-like,"  or  "  death- 
like" appearances  before  them,  as  coolly  as  they 
would  criticize  a  picture  or  a  doll. 

In  England,  Christian  parents  have  experience 
of  the  solemnizing  effect  on  their  offspring,  when 
first  conducted  to  look  upon  the  frame  that  no 
longer  breathes  and  looks  lovingly  on  them.  It  is 
wrong  to  make  that  a  light  subject,  which  exists 
ever  as  a  token  of  divine  displeasure  against  human 
disobedience,— -or  that  a  common  event  which  can 
befall  each  of  us  but  once — and  that  once  ! — which 
kingdom  may  it  open  to  us  ? 

Invitations  to  funerals  are  frequently  attached  to 
the  obituary  notice  in  the  newspaper — and  the  at- 
tendance depends  much  on  the  esteem  in  which  the 
departed  was  held.  The  connected  and  the  uncon- 
nected go  alike,  and  you  may  see  ladies  in  gay  vest- 
ments with  bright  roses  in  their  hats,  mingling  sin- 
cere tears  with  those  dressed  in  the  deepest  mourn- 
ing.    If  it  is  the  funeral  of  a  well-known  Christian 


THE   FUNERALS.  235 

character,  and  a  member  of  a  church,  the  body  is 
laid  in  front  of  the  pulpit  and  the  friends  gather 
round  while  an  act  of  worship  is  performed,  and  a 
short  oration  is  delivered,  which  is  not  simply  lau- 
datory, or  pronouncing  judgment  on  the  dead,  but 
rather  warning  to  the  living.  The  service  is  gener- 
ally simple  and  touching,  and  calculated  to  be  use- 
ful. The  Episcopal  form  nearly  resembles  that  of 
England. 

The  Odd  Fellows  funerals  are  more  like  trium- 
phal processions,  with  bands  of  music,  flags,  ribbons, 
and  all  the  gaudy  insignia  of  oflficial  people  in  the 
society,  than  like  returning  the  ashes  of  a  departed 
brother  to  the  parent  dust.  It  is  said  they  are  ren- 
dered very  injurious  to  the  morals  of  the  commu- 
nity by  being  generally  performed  on  the  Lord's  day, 
and  during  the  hours  of  worship,  and  that  many 
step  in  as  they  pass,  to  each  place  where  intoxicat- 
ing drinks  are  sold,  until  they  return  reeling  from 
the  cemetery. 

As  to  the  Irish  funerals,  the  first  I  observed  con- 
sisted of  twenty-eight  carriages,  crammed  with  peo- 
ple of  all  ages,  with  laughing  faces  and  loud  jollity, 
dressed  in  red  and  green  ribbons,  rendered  more 
conspicuous  by  being  blown  about  through  the  open 
windows,  by  the  wind.     Not   having  observed  the 


236  THE   FUNERALS. 

little  modest  hearse  which  preceded  all  this  fun  and 
frolic,  the  inquiry  was  not  unnatural,  if  these  people 
were  going  to  a  fair, — and  the  suprise  was  great  to 
learn  that  they  were  following  a  funeral  to  the 
Popish  burial-ground  at  Williamsburgh. 

The  hearse,  in  America,  is  a  modest,  low  convey- 
ance,— somewhat  lower  and  narrower  than  our  car- 
riages for  piano-fortes, — free  from  the  pomp  of 
plumes  which  look  so  like  an  attempt  to  put  an  air 
of  grandeur  on  the  most  subduing  event  in  life. 
The  absence  of  escutcheons  and  blazonry  on  the 
house  of  the  departed,  becomes  the  simplicity  of  a 
republic.  A  more  touching  and  simple  symbol  we 
first  observed  in  Baltimore,  and  saw  it  afterwards 
in  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere.  Where  death  has 
entered,  a  strip  of  black  crape  is  attached  to  the 
handle  of  the  front  door,  the  length  of  which  indicates 
the  age  of  the  departed,  so  that  no  unwarned  visi- 
tors can  intrude  on  private  sorrow.  It  is  also  cus- 
tomary in  some  places,  to  fix  the  outside  shutters 
with  crape  in  a  position  more  than  half  closed,  so 
that  the  inmates  live  in  that  obscured  light  for 
many  weeks,  or  months,  if  it  be  the  head  of  the 
family  who  is  dead,  or  if  the  departed  is  deeply 
mourned. 

The  Americans,  partaking  as  they  do  of  the  mix- 


THE   FUNERALS.  237 

ture  of  many  nations,  have  caught  up  tastes  and 
habits  from  various  quarters.  The  Grerman  neat 
and  tasteful  arrangement  of  small  things,  shows 
itself  in  the  very  hanging  of  the  empty  fruit-baskets 
in  festoons  at  a  gardener's  stall,  and  the  arranging 
of  small  flower-pots  with  an  eye  to  the  undulating 
line  of  beauty.  And  thus,  in  putting  the  Hall  of 
Independence,  at  Philadelphia,  in  mourning  for  the 
late  President,  they  had  drawn  a  long  piece  of  crape 
through  the  beak  of  the  eagle  which  floats  over  the 
figure  of  Washington,  in  such  a  manner,  that  its 
folds  fell  gracefully  down,  shadmg  the  statue  on 
either  side.  The  effect  was  beautiful,  and  sugges- 
tive of  many  thoughts.  Men  may  be  cut  off",  but 
institutions  will  remain, — a  President  may  expire, 
but  the  Republic  will  survive. 

Ah !  what  a  noble  country  !  and  yet  how  like 
this  blighted  world.  It  has  a  dark  shade  mingling 
among  its  stars  and  stripes.  One  under  which  it 
sighs  and  groans.  When  will  vigor,  "true  independ- 
ence and  virtue,  be  given  to  it  to  remove  that  dark 
shade — and  allow  all  who  admire  its  achievements 
and  honor  its  ingenious  industry,  to  admire  without 
a  sigh,  and  to  honor  without  a  drawback  ? 

That  dark  shade  would  not  withdraw  from  the 
mind  in   the  Hall  of  Independence,  nor   even  at 


238  THE   FUNERALS. 

Washington,  when  the  heart  swelled  in  contempla- 
tion of  the  magnificent  Capitol  and  all  the  aiFairs 
transacted  within  it.  It  appeared  in  the  counte- 
nance-and  manner  of  the  Southerner,  so  different 
from  those  of  the  North.  It  hung  about  the  figure 
of  the  shrinking  free  colored  man,  who  seems  to 
quail  under  the  cold  eye  of  the  white.  It  trembled 
around  the  lowly  quiet  celerity  of  the  slave  who 
watched  your  look  as  if  it  were  his  duty  to  conjec- 
ture your  wants,  not  from  love,  but  from  fear.  It 
even  clouded  the  services  of  the  handy  little  boy 
who  ran  from  wing  to  wing  of  the  busy  hotel,  car- 
rying all  sorts  of  small  wares  and  messages.  He 
might  be  happy  in  his  ignorance,  poor  boy,  and  he 
was  not  harshly  treated,  and  his  mother  was  in  the 
house.  But  he  was  not  his  mother's  child — he  was 
his  master's.  She  was  not  her  own,  nor  her  hus- 
band's— she  also  was  her  master's.  And  who  was 
he  ?  a  humane  man  enough,  born  under  providence 
with  a  white  skin,  otherwise  he  too  might  have  be- 
come the  chattel  of  another. 

Forgive  the  generous  wish  that  no  tarnish  should 
be  on  your  country's  standard.  I  know  that  mil- 
lions of  you  hate  the  system  which  I  mourn — I  know 
that  it  is  not  foreign  remark  or  interference  which 
will  rid  you  of  it.     You  are  a  free  people.     Your 


THE   FUNERALS.  239 

own  intelligence  and  moral  energy  must  reclaim 
you — ^no  external  powers  can  turn  you  back  if  you 
go  astray.  You  have  expelled  slavery  from  one  half 
of  your  land,  and  live  in  the  expectation  that  you 
will  presently  rid  the  other  half  of  it,  nay,  that  you 
will  ultimately  be  the  happy  means  of  expelling  it 
from  the  world.  Yet  perhaps  there  is  some  decep- 
tion in  your  case.  Can  it  be,  as  one  has  heard  it 
many  times  stated,  that,  had  it  not  been  for  foreign 
interference,  Kentucky,  Missouri,  Maryland,  and  Del- 
aware, would  have  ceased  to  hold  slaves  ere  now  ? 
Why,  if  you  would  do  right^  allow  your  displeasure 
against  "  foreign  interference"  to  have  any  power  in 
inducing  you  to  continue  a  wrong  ?  Do  you  not  de- 
ceive yourselves  ?  I  see  our  countryman  James 
Stuart,  in  his  "  Three  Years  in  America,"  adopted 
the  idea  of  the  friends  with  whom  he  conversed, 
that  in  ten  years,  slavery  would  be  at  an  end  in 
Kentucky.  That  was  said  in  1830.  Twenty-one 
years  of  ill-gotten  gains  and  woe  have  passed  since 
then.  The  delusions  of  hope  that  tend  but  to  pro- 
long a  system  which  themselves  abhor,  are  they  not 
most  pernicious  and  unfounded?  When  did  evil 
arise  and  break  itself  to  pieces,  and  rejoice  over  its 
own  ruins?  It  cannot  be.  The  better  genius  of 
Kentucky  must  awake  and  do  the  work, — and  rising 


240  THE  FUNERALS. 

from  the  wreck  of  its  wrong,  spring  up  to  what  just 
principles,  genius,  industry,  and  plentiful  and  fertile 
land,  and  free  institutions,  can  make  it.  It  must 
heal  itself, — and  if  it  does  not,  another  ten,  another 
twenty  years  may  pass,  and  Kentucky  and  Delaware 
will  be  found  as  they  are  now,  groaning  and  hating, 
but  enduring  and  abetting  slavery. 

It  was  not  my  design  to  allude  to  this  most  pain- 
ful subject.  But  in  contemplating  death,  the  ter- 
mination of  all  our  toils  and  all  our  gains,  how 
could  the  depression  of  the  colored  race  and  its  ter- 
mination fail  to  arise  in  the  mind :  "  Behold,  the 
tears  of  the  oppressed,  and  they  had  no  com- 
forter. "Wherefore,  I  praised  the  dead  which  are 
already  dead,  more  than  the  living  who  are  yet 
alive."  Yea — presently — ^haste  to  be  just  before 
the  time  comes,  for  presently — '•  The  small  and  the 
great  will  lie  down  together,  where  the  servant  is 
free  from  his  master." 

Having  fallen  on  this  sore  subject,  it  is  right  to 
make  a  remark  or  two  to  place  British  motives  for 
remarking  on  the  condition  of  the  Africo-American 
race  in  a  kinder  point  of  view  than  that  in  which 
they  generally  first  appear  to  an  American. 

We  are  not  used  to  see  colored  people  at  home, 
though  our  own  heavy  share  of  the  evil  and  respon- 


THE   FUNERALS.  241 

sibility  of  transporting  them  from  Africa,  and 
placing  them  in  a  state  of  bondage,  leads  us  to 
think  much  of  them  in  absence,  and  to  be  anxious 
about  their  condition  when  we  see  them  and  visit 
their  haunts. 

For  myself,  and  it  may  truly  be  said  of  thousands 
besides,  my  observation  and  questions  about  them, 
are  from  motives  the  very  reverse  of  a  desire  to  cen- 
sure, or  a  pleasure  in  remarking  on  what  is  felt  by 
Americans  to  be  the  unsound  and  inconsistent  part 
of  their  constitution.  I  wanted  to  know  their  posi- 
tion, social  and  religious,  in  the  Free  States.  I 
wanted  to  know  the  mind  of  the  slave-holders  in  the 
Slave  States.  I  longed  for  leave  to  hope  for  good 
in  the  one,  and  to  see  good  in  the  other.  The  man- 
ner in  which  such  questions  were  generally  met, 
pained  me  sincerely.  It  was  the  only  subject  on  which 
I  saw  a  tendency  to  a  ruffle  on  the  sunny  surface  of 
American  temper,  and  reminded  me  of  Tom  Moore's 
anecdote  of  an  interview  he  had  with  Byron.  By- 
ron seemed  never  to  have  forgiven  the  providence 
which  had  disfigured  his  otherwise  beautiful  person, 
by  a  club-foot.  While  the  poets  conversed,  the  eye 
of  the  Irish  lyrist  rested  on  the  foot.  The  saturnine 
lord  observed  it,  and  his  countenance  darkened. 
Poor  Tom  became  aware,  and  evaded  a  bitter  burst, 
16 


242  THE  FUNERALS. 

by  making  his  eyes  wander  carelessly  over  the  whole 
person,  as  if  he  had  not  specially  marked  the  foot, 
and  gradually  the  thunder-cloud  dispersed,  and  sun- 
shine returned.  Every  nation  has  its  club-foot — 
some  have  two — some  are  perfect  centipedes  in  de- 
formities,— happy  America,  if  she  have  but  one.  It 
is  the  more  painfully  deforming,  but  will  be  the 
more  easily  remedied.  Even  young  ladies  seem  ex- 
pert tacticians  on  this  subject,  and  carry  the  war 
into  the  enemy's  camp  with  great  keenness.  When 
a  simple  inquiry  is  made,  not  by  an  enemy,  but  a 
true  friend,  they  accuse  England  of  the  cruelties 
perpetrated  ifi  Manchester  on  the  manufacturers  of 
cotton  cloth  as  being  worse  than  those  inflicted  on 
negroes  who  raise  the  raw  material.  They  hardly 
believe  when  told  that  these  people  are  free,  that  if 
they  do  not  like  one  master  they  can  engage  with 
another,  that  they  receive  wages  for  their  work,  and 
if  oppressed  or  injured  they  can  bring  the  oppres- 
sion before  a  magistrate.  If,  however,  convinced 
that  this  is  not  a  point  where  they  can  make  a 
breach  in  the  wall  of  the  British  constitution,  they 
will  assail  you  on  the  wrongs  of  Ireland.  Should 
the  truth  that  Ireland  has  been  misgoverned  by 
reason  of  its  Popish  preferences  be  conceded,  they 
triumph  and  say  it  does  not  become  us  to  criticize 


THE   FUISTERALS.  243 

slavery ;  as  if  evils  on  one  side  of  the  Atlantic 
could  neutralize  those  on  the  other — or  as  if  evils  in 
our  government  of  Ireland — the  remedy  of  which 
has  cost  Britain  millions  of  gold*  and  more  than 
millions  of  ingenuity,  trouble,  and  disappointment — 
ought  to  seal  up  our  hearts  against  every  benevolent 
sentiment  in  reference  to  the  African  race,  or  shut 
us  out  from  the  natural  desire  of  information  as  to 
the  condition  of  one  branch  of  the  human  species. 

The  colored  people,  who  imitate  all  the  respect- 
able customs  of  the  whites,  have  their  funeral  pro- 
cessions and  their  mourning  garments,  and  look 
much  more  like  paying  respect  to  their  dead,  and 
feeling  sympathy  for  the  living,  than  the  Irish  do. 
Those  of  them  who  have  any  religion,  are  Protes- 
tants, and  form  the  procession,  not  to  please,  or  to 
put  money  in  the  purse  of  the  priest,  but  to  show 
kindness  to  the  departed.  I  heard  the  minister  of 
a  colored  church  announce  from  the  pulpit  the  death 
of  a  highly  esteemed  church-member,  and  the  hour 
of  his  funeral,  inviting  attendance,  and  stating  that 
if  the  choir  could  be  spared  by  their  employers,  it 
would  fitly  assist  a  becoming  solemnity  if  they  would 
attend,  and  sing  two  appropriate  hymns,  which  he 
pointed  out.     There  was  neither  levity  nor  show, 


244  THE  FUNERALS. 

but  a  becoming  sentiment  apparent  in  what  the  good 
man  advised. 

One  custom,  which  at  first  surprised  me,  but  af- 
terwards comm^ded  itself  as  most  convenient,  pre- 
vails, as  I  found  on  inquiry,  in  many  cities  and  vil- 
lages. In  cases  of  death,  some  considerate  neighbor 
borrows  for  the  bereaved  family  suitable  dresses, 
from  any  one  who  has  them,  which  are  worn  on  oc- 
casion of  the  funeral,  and  then  returned,  thus  leav- 
ing the  mourners  imdisturbed,  till  their  own  conve- 
nience enables  them  to  procure  at  leisure  what  they 
require.  I  have  known  one  excellent  Christian  gen- 
tlewoman, in  case  of  the  death  of  one  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  pastors  of  her  city,  consider  the  age 
and  size  of  the  daughters,  and  who  of  similar  figure 
among  her  acquaintance  were  wearing  mourning  at 
present.  She  then  set  off  herself,  accompanied  by 
her  maid,  procured  what  she  wanted,  bonnets,  shawls, 
and  everything  necessary,  and  carried  them  to  the 
house  of  mourning,  where  they  were  willingly  re- 
ceived, and  used  without  scruple. 

I  also  saw  a  dear  matron,  whose  emotions  and  ac- 
tions run  together  like  parted  mercury,  leave  the 
room,  saying,  "  I  think  the  gown  I  am  wearing  will 

look  best  for  poor  Mrs. at  the  funeral — ^will 

you  excuse  me,  ladies,  while  I  go  and  change  it,  that 


THE  FUNEEALS.  245 

she  may  have  it."  Refinement  that  is  refined  away 
into  inanity  may  be  sqeamish  at  this  plan,  and  the 
reserve  of  ancient  etiquette  may  scorn  it.  To  me, 
there  was  a  simplicity,  and  heartiness,  and  helpful- 
ness in  the  style  of  sympathy,  which  indicated  real 
love  for  the  neighbor.  And  who  that  has  gone 
through  the  infliction  of  having  boxes  of  bonnets  and 
caps  to  fit  on  ;  and  that  has  stood  under  the  hand 
of  a  dress-maker,  when  ready  to  expire,  and  flung 
herself  down,  when  released,  in  an  irrepressible  burst 
of  woe,  would  not  feel  the  gentle  helping  hand  in 
such  a  place  as  this,  to  be  like  that  of  a  ministering 


The  natural  and  the  real  is  always  beautiful  in 
time  of  sorrow,  and  to  be  preferred  to  the  artificial 
and  the  ceremonial. 


The  cemeteries  are  laid  out  in  fine  taste.  Pdre- 
la-Chaise  at  Paris  has  formed  the  pattern,  and  taste- 
fully is  it  imitated,  and  even  surpassed.  There  are 
many  beautiful.  That  on  the  banks  of  the  Passaic 
at  Newark,  has  a  fine  position  in  reference  to  the 
river.  It  was  rather  a  delicate  matter  to  pronounce 
between  the  claims  of  Mount  Auburn  at  Boston,  and 
Greenwood  beyond  Brooklyn.  Not  only  because 
both  are  beautiful,  but  because  there  exists  a  de- 
gree of  rivalry  on  the  subject  between  Boston  and 
New  York,  of  which  latter  city,  Greenwood  is  the 
principal  cemetery.  It  contains  242  acres  of  the 
most  beautifully  varied  grounds,  and  is  rich  in  ave- 
nues of  pines,  elms,  and  yews ;  with  fine  slopes  sha- 
ded by  magnificent  locusts,  cypress,  and  weeping 
willow ;  and  picturesque  pieces  of  water,  with  foun- 
tains casting  up  the  sparkling  element  to  a  great 
height,  which  falling,  forms  rainbows  in  the  sunbeams 
and  tranquillizes  the  spirit  with  its  monotonous  and 


THE  CEMETERIES  AND   FIREMEN".        247 

stilly  plash.  One  felt  inclined  to  linger  out  the  day, 
and  yet  to  return  again  on  the  morrow. 

There  is  much  taste  and  sentiment  in  the  monu- 
ments in  both  these  beautiful  cemeteries.  Some 
massive,  of  gray  granite,  mingling  well  with  the  more 
varied  forms  of  white  marble.  Mount  Auburn  has 
memorials  to  Fulton,  Channing,  and  Spurzheim — 
the  latter  noble  in  its  simplicity ;  the  name  alone  in 
the  centre  of  the  tablet  being  the  only  epitaph.  In 
the  inscription  on  Channing's  monument,  one  cannot 
but  remark  that  they  have  evaded  confessing  his 
Unitarian  principles  by  making  mention  only  of  the 
"  Christian  community  to  which  he  belonged,"  or 
a  similar  expression.  Was  the  rumor  then  true,  that 
in  his  latter  days,  the  apostle  of  Unitarianism  found 
Christ  as  a  pattern-man,  inadequate  to  his  soul's  ne- 
cessities 1     Would  that  it  may  have  been  so. 

At  Greenwood,  the  lamb,  the  dove,  the  broken 
bud,  the  bursting  chrysalis,  the  rising  sun,  the  em- 
braced urn,  the  veiled  mourner,  and  whatever  other 
emblem  grief  and  faith  mingled  might  suggest  to 
taste,  are  to  be  seen.  Nothing,  however,  seemed  so 
very  touching  as  the  name  alone.  The  sacred  spot 
is  measured  out,  and  encircled  by  a  light  iron  fence. 
On  the  locked  gateway  the  family  name  is  placed  in 
large  characters ;  but  within,  as  each  dear  member 


248        THE   CEMETERIES  AND  FIREMEN". 


occupies  the  place,  you  see  on  the  monument,  "  Our 
Emily,"  "  Our  Henry,"  "  Our  Mother,"  "  Our  dear 
Parents,"  "  Our  only  Son."  If  you  will  know  who 
they  are,  you  must  look  at  the  gate,  but  they  who 
placed  them  there  know  well.  They  were  Owr5,  the 
spot  and  the  ashes  are  Ours  still.  With  that  perti- 
nacity indicative  of  immortality  and  the  resurrection, 
affection  cleaves  to  the  ashes  ;  and  many  a  rose 
within  the  rail,  and  many  a  bunch  of  "  Forget-me- 
not"  planted  at  the  feet,  shows  that  love  is  stronger 
than  death,  and  makes  its  vow  of  constancy  even  to 
the  cold  clay. 

The  Firemen's  monuments  are  noble  and  deser- 
vedly conspicuous.  The  cold  marble  erected  to 
their  memories  was  their  country's  only  method  of 
expressing  its  gratitude  to  them.  And  above  the 
rest  shows  the  statue  of  that  brave  man  with  the 
sleeping  infant  on  his  arm,  to  rescue  whom  he  per- 
illed his  own  life,  and — lost  it.  As  a  work  of  art  it 
is  very  beautiful ;  but  as  a  testimony  of  his  people's 
gratitude,  it  is  sublime.  The  man  who  wins  the 
battle,  or  raises  the  siege,  or  secures  the  peace,  re- 
ceives of  course  his  meed  of  laurels,  and  "  storied 
urn  and  monumental  bust ;"  but  the  man  who  risks 
his  life  to  save  one  poor  little  infant,  who  works  not 
for  fame  nor  for  fortune,  but  for  humanity,  how 


THE   CEMETERIES  AND   FIREMEN.         249 

worthy  is  he  of  a  statue  !  It  was  bravely  done  ! 
One  honors  the  patriotic  spirit  that  erected  it.  The 
same  spirit  was  also  shown  in  the  erection  of  that 
other  beautiful  monument  over  the  grave  of  the  Pi- 
lot, who  in  saving  the  ship  was  himself  drowned. 

Having  mentioned  firemen,  it-  may  be  as  well  to 
remark  upon  them  here. 

Fires  are  more  frequent  in  the  United  States  than 
elsewhere.  "  How  it  comes  let  doctors  tell."  "Wood- 
en houses  alone  will  not  account  for  it — as  wood, 
though  combustible,  will  not  bum  unless  it  be  kin- 
dled. They  have,  however,  become  nearly  as  expert 
in  extinguishing  as  they  seem  careless  in  kindling 
fires — so  that  a  stranger  learns  by  and  by  to  hear 
the  startling  toll  which  announces  the  number  of  the 
district  where  a  conflagration  is  going  on,  without 
any  unusual  beating  of  heart,  even  though  it  be  not 
far  ofi".  In  Philadelphia,  people  profess  to  be  more 
afraid  of  the  damage  done  by  the  water  than  by  the 
fire. 

We  learned  that  the  firemen  had  certain  immuni- 
ties, and  that  their  enrolment  originated  with  the 
Quakers.  According  to  their  principles,  Friends 
could  not  go  to  war,  but  to  prove  themselves  willing 
to  defend  the  State  they  offered  to  take  charge  of 
extinguishing  fires,  on  condition   that  they  should 


250        THE   CEMETERIES   AND   FIREMEN. 

not  be  liable  to  serve  in  the  militia.  They  have 
other  privileges  I  believe,  such  as  not  being  called 
to  sit  as  jurymen  on  trials.  In  return,  however, 
they  have  no  sinecure  office.  The  night  without  a 
fire  is  the  exception,  and  it  is  not  uncommon  during 
winter,  to  have  several  in  one  night. 

One  never  saw  a  more  light-built,  active  set  of 
men,  than  those  of  the  fire  brigades.  They  wear 
dresses  fit  to  protect  the  head,  and  leave  their  lim- 
ber limbs  unencumbered ;  and  they  have  as  much 
pride  in  the  bright  brasses  and  gay  painting  of  their 
engine,  as  a  sailor  has  in  his  ship,  or  a  driver  in  his 
team.  The  first  who  with  his  engine  reaches  the 
scene  of  danger,  is  captain  for  the  night ;  and  so 
zealous  are  they  of  this  honor,  that  they  will  remain 
in  a  room  behind  the  engine-room,  for  the  purpose 
of  being  ready  to  start  on  the  first  ring  of  the  bell. 

That  they  are  courageous,  and  command  often  in 
the  midst  of  danger  with  a  general's  eye,  all  their 
countrymen  know.  And  that  many  of  them  are 
gentle  as  well  as  brave,  many  a  deed  of  tender  con- 
sideration for  sufi'erers  can  testify.  One  little 
specimen  of  this  came  under  my  own  knowledge, 
and  pleased  me  greatly. 

The  house  of  one  of  my  emigrant  countrymen  was 
in  flames — the  usual  amount  of  agitation,  racket, 


THE  CEMETERIES  AND  FIREMEN.        251 

confusion,  smoke,  and  hammering  and  tearing  down 
were  going  forward  amid  the  fire.  A  young  daugh- 
ter of  the  family  was  rushing  to  a  picture  on  the 
wall  of  one  of  the  rooms,  when  a  fireman  caught  her 
and  said  she  would  peril  her  life.  "  Oh  !  but  I 
must  save  it — I  must.  It  is  the  picture  of  my 
home  in  Scotland."  "  Stand  there  then,"  said  the 
kindly  man,  and  bounding  himself  over  the  falling 
embers,  rescued  the  treasure,  and  through  the  thick- 
ening cloud  of  smoke  leapt  back  to  present  it  to 
the  agitated  girl.  Here  was  good-nature,  sentiment, 
and  sympathy,  mingling  with  courage  in  the  heat 
and  hurry  of  the  scene.  The  dear  girl  showed  me 
her  old  home  and  the  Tweed,  so  familiar  and  so 
dear  to  us  both,  and  told  me  of  this  kindly  act  with 
sparkling  eyes.     She  never  knew  her  benefactor. 

It  has  been  mysteriously  hinted  that  these  fire 
brigades,  originating  in  so  honorable  and  humane  a 
purpose,  have  been  invaded  by  various  evils,  and 
made  the  tools  of  infidel  encroachments,  and  politi- 
cal intrigue.  How  much  to  be  lamented,  if  true, 
and  how  desirable  that  some  salutary  corrective  be 
applied — some  salt  cast  into  the  mass  to  save  it 
from  putrefaction. 

They  are  a  popular  Society  in  every  city.  Cour- 
age dwells  with,  and  protection  flows  from  them. 


252        THE   CEMETERIES  AND  FIREMEN. 

Will  not  some  of  the  ladies  who  shower  nosegays  on 
their  heads  when,  on  the  anniversary,  their  gay  pro- 
cession and  glittering  engines  pass  through  the 
streets,  devise  some  method  of  exhibiting  their 
gratitude  which  may  infuse  a  moral  and  elevating 
leaven  into  the  occupation  of  these  men,  who  watch 
at  midnight  for  their  safety  ? 

At  the  New  York  Fair  (as  they  call  the  annual 
exhibition  of  the  industry  and  manufactures  of  the 
whole  State)  the  display  of  all  the  material  engaged 
in  extinguishing  fires,  was  extensive,  ingenious,  and 
handsome,  in  a  degree  to  awaken  surprise  in  people 
who  hear  of  a  fire  at  the  interval  of  months,  and 
scarcely  ever  see  a  fire-engine. 


The  first  drive  up  Broadway,  or  turn  in  the  Fifth 
Avenue,  would  impress  the  new-comer  with  the 
idea  that  New  York  is  of  German  origin,  but  for 
the  restless  bustle  that  pervades  it,  and  the  dark 
coachmen  mounted  on  the  front  of  the  carriages, 
and  the  youths  seated  beside  them,  who  from  their 
age  and  complexion  may  be  their  sons.  When  he 
penetrates  a  little  further,  and  sees  the  domestic 
economy,  he  will  find  black  cooks  as  well  as  waiters ; 
and  when  he  perambulates  the  city,  he  will  find  some 
streets  that  seem  entirely  inhabited  by  blacks,  and 
in  their  vicinity  a  church  or  two  of  various  persua- 
sions, whose  flocks  and  whose  ministers  are  of  the 
same  complexion.  They  are  generally  reported  to 
be  honest,  thoughtless,  light-hearted,  improvident 
people.  Some  of  them  seem  very  poor  and  desolate, 
especially  in  cold  weather,  which  shrinks  and  withers 
them  up ;  but  in  sunshine  they  expand,  and  are  much 
more  lively.     They  are  by  no  means  disposed  to 


254  THE  COLORED  BACE. 

Ibeg,  or  to  make  the  most  of  their  necessities.  A 
(gentleman  connected  with  the  "  Association  for  Im- 
proving the  Condition  of  the  Poor,"  who  takes  charge 
of  a  district  for  the  purpose  of  investigating  the 
cases,  and  distributing  the  alms  of  the  benevolent 
during  winter,  says  his  experience  is,  that  the  col- 
ored people,  men  and  women,  withdraw  their  claim 
as  soon  as  they  find  employment  by  which  they  can 
live,  while  the  Irish  will  hang  on,  and  show  plausi- 
ble cause  why  they  ought  to  be  aided,  as  long  as  a 
dollar  is  left  in  the  bag. 

They  are  capable  of  being  very  industrious  and 
useful  in  the  community,  and  some  of  them  possess 
both  energy  and  mental  vigor.  Yet  they  evidently 
belong  to  a  warmer  clime,  where  prolonged  or  hard 
exertion  is  not  necessary  to  supply  the  wants  of  na- 
ture ;  and  one  grieves  to  observe  the  half-developed, 
half-alive  state  they  often  drop  into,  as  if  chilled, 
when  nothing  occurs  to  arouse  them. 

They  are  not  zealous  to  use  all  the  means  of  edu- 
cation within  their  reach,  yet  in  the  "  Colored  Or- 
phan Home"  are  to  be  seen  children  as  acute  and 
lively  as  in  any  of  the  white  orphan  houses,  or  Com- 
mon Schools.  Those  who  have  enjoyed  longer  and 
closer  means  of  observation  can  say  whether  the 
gradual  dyiag  away  of  this  acuteness  and  liveliness. 


THE   COLORED  RACE.  265 

when  they  grow  up,  arises  from  constitutional  causes, 
or  from  a  growing  conception  as  they  advance  in 
life  of  their  depressed  condition. 

In  the  free  States  the  colored  children  have  ac- 
cess to  the  Common  Schools,  but  if  I  may  judge 
from  my  limited  means  of  observation,  they  do  not 
very  commonly  use  the  privilege.  States  that  sup- 
port Common  Schools  pay  equally  for  black  and 
white  children.  Nevertheless,  in  these  States  you 
will  find  here  and  there  a  side  school,  the  result  of 
private  benevolence,  where  the  children  and  their 
teacher  cannot  offend  each  other's  prejudices,  as  all 
are  dark. 

It  is  too  painful  to  look  on  a  people  who  have  the 
material  in  them  that  might  do  well,  driven  back  to 
inertness  and  despondency  by  the  ceaseless  encounter 
of  depressing  obstacles.  Is  it  true,  that  white  chil- 
dren in  virtue  of  a  complexion,  in  the  possession  of 
which  they  have  no  merit,  insult  and  injure  children 
of  another  shade  of  color,  for  which  they  ought  to 
have  no  disgrace  ?  I  fear  it.  In  Albany  I  saw  a 
big  white  boy  deliberately  kick  a  little  black  one 
who  was  passing  along  as  inoffensively  as  myself. 
The  poor  child  did  not  attempt  to  retaliate  or  to 
complain — he  only  fled.  Is  this  a  method  in  which 
to  rear  free,  and  generous,  and  just  citizens  ? 


256  THE  COLORED  RACE. 

The  day  and  the  scene  were  lovely  as  I  sat  on 
the  dock  at  Poughkeepsie,  waiting  for  the  steamer, 
yet  a  brief  exhibition  of  what  appeared  too  common 
to  draw  the  attention  of  others  filled  me  with  in- 
dignation and  grief  A  pleasant-looking  colored 
youth,  dressed  neatly  in  clean  summer  clothing, 
leaned  over  the  rail,  looking  down  upon  the  water. 
Suddenly  a  dirty,  ragged,  vulgar  fellow,  perhaps 
jealous  that  a  black  man  should  look  so  much  more 
respectable  than  himself,  came  up  and  tried  to  fas- 
ten a  quarrel  on  him,  which  the  dark  man  meekly 
evaded.  The  fellow  struck  him,  and  when  still  the 
injured  dark  man  kept  the  peace,  and  turned  his 
face  to  the  water,  the  fellow  kicked  him  and  went 
away  triumphing.  No  one  laughed  with  him,  as  I 
was  pleased  to  observe ;  but  no  one  said,  "  Why 
do  you  insult  this  inoffensive  man  ?"  He  saw  there 
was  none  to  take  his  part.  Had  I  been  a  man,  I 
think  the  insolent  fellow  would  have  got  a  washing 
in  the  Hudson.  It  would  have  been  an  honor  to 
have  been  carried  before  a  magistrate  for  such  a 
trespass.  0  America  !  country  of  freemen,  beware 
of  layitig  up  a  store  of  such  injuries.  The  God  of 
the  Black  man  and  the  White  is  a  Grod  of  judgment, 
and  does  not  forget  your  good  deeds  and  your  evil. 


THE  COLOEED  KACE.  257 

Could  you  but  be  warned  before  you  make  your 
responsibilities  deeper  and  darker  ! 

Churches  for  the  Colored  people  are  built  by  vol- 
untary contribution  in  the  same  manner  as  those 
for  the  White,  and  often  the  chief  part  of  the  money 
is  contributed  by  white  people.  Many  of  the  pas- 
tors are  dark,  and,  generally  speaking,  though  they 
be  pious,  they  are  not  intelligent  or  much  instruct- 
ed. The  majority  of  them  are  Methodists — their 
habit  of  addressing  the  passions  more  than  the  im- 
derstanding,  suiting  better  the  temperament  and 
degree  of  knowledge  of  their  flocks.  These,  along 
with  Baptists,  comprise  almost  all  of  the  colored 
professors  of  religion.  The  morals  of  even  the  best 
colored  people  are  said  to  be  of  a  low  grade,  and 
pastors  find  it  far  easier  to  take  care  of  white  than 
of  colored  sheep. 

These  poor  people  feel  that  they  live  by  sufferance 
only — their  humility  is  quite  touching  in  reference 
to  white  persons — and  their  position  is  so  calculated 
to  debilitate  the  mind,  to  teach  them  submission  and 
dependence,  rather  than  anything  like  forethought 
and  providence,  that  it  is  not  surprising  to  see  them 
continue  under  the  cloud,  and  rarely  break  out  from 
it.  It  is  the  humor  of  some  to  indulge  and  spoil 
them,  allowing  in  them  familiarity  which  they  would 
17 


258  THE  COLORED  RACE. 

not  permit  in  a  white,  while  others  trample  on  them, 
reproach  them  for  being  "  niggers,"  &c.  In  either 
case  they  are  not  treated  fairly.  It  is  curious  to 
observe  them  if  encouraged,  kindly  gossiping  crea- 
tures as  they  are — old  cooks  and  "  aunties"  who  have 
held  all  manner  of  domestic  offices,  never  lose  their 
claim  on  the  family.  They  will  call  in  if  they  fancy 
the  lady  wants  her  hair  dressed,  or  if  her  present 
cook  does  not,  perhaps,  understand  making  the  pre- 
serves so  well  as  "  Aunt  Suky"  does — or  if  they 
hear  you  have  company,  and  will  be  the  better  of  a 
hand  to  help  with  the  ice  and  lemonade,  and  you 
will  find  an  "  aunt"  occasionally  in  the  lady's  cham- 
ber with  her  little  basket,  and  her  pleasant  sociable 
smile,  as  if  she  knows  all  about  it ;  and  her  soft 
voice,  and  her  quaint  talk.  Their  voices  are  all 
pleasing,  and  a  fine  musical  ear  seems  their  un- 
failing attribute.  If  a  street  minstrel  is  afloat,  you 
will  be  sure  to  see  a  score  of  little  darkies  hovering 
about  him,  drinking  in  the  strains  with  evident 
delight. 

Being  interested  in  their  musical  powers,  I  gath- 
ered collections  of  their  popular  airs,  and  felt  in- 
dignant at  the  ineffable  nonsense  of  the  words  which 
are  in  nearly  every  case  attached  to  them.  If  they 
be  real,  what  sin-  attaches  to  enlightened  men,  who 


THE   COLORED   RACE.  259 

keep  in  purposed  ignorance  a  set  of  immortal  beings 
who  dwell  in  the  midst  of  them.  If  they  be  the  in- 
vention of  hired  musicians,  who  profess  to  be  Ethio- 
pians, then  how  low  is  the  public  taste  in  that  mat- 
ter, and  how  insulting  is  it  to  the  poor  black  people. 
Yet  kind  ladies  told  me,  that  much  of  this  nonsense 
comes  from  the  south,  and  is  fostered  by  the  owners, 
as  the  favorite  singing  of  their  pet  slaves,  which 
they  like  to  repeat,  as  we  do  the  imperfect  prattle 
of  our  children.  One  may  be  allowed  to  question 
if  that  be  the  real  state  of  the  case,  especially  when, 
ever  and  anon,  in  the  negro  melodies  you  catch  a 
strain  which  has  been  metamorphosed  from  some 
familiar  Scotch  or  Irish  tune,  into  somewhat  of  a 
chiming  jiggish  air.  It  is  remarkable,  that  all  their 
love  for  music  and  for  negro  melodies,  if  these  be 
indeed  such,  has  not  led  the  dark  people  to  seek  a 
corner  in  those  halls  where  white  men  with  sooty 
faces  sing  their  airs  well,  and  play  their  favorite 
banjo,  as  well  as  it  can  be  played.  It  is  too  ob- 
viously satire,  and  not  sympathy,  which  these  min- 
strels aim  at.  The  ridicule  is  too  broad  and  con- 
temptuous to  be  tolerated,  much  less  enjoyed  by 
them.  The  sight  of  a  dark  complexion  has  long 
since  ceased  to  be  rare  in  a  place  of  worship.  Be- 
sides having  churches  of  their  own,  you  will,  if  you 


260  THE  COLORED  RACE. 

look  well  about  you,  find  «  few  in  a  left  hand  gal- 
lery, or  in  some  odd  comer  of  many  churches. 

The  time  is  happily  long  gone  by  since  New 
York  State  and  City,  cleared  themselves  from  the 
bondage  and  disgrace  of  slavery.  In  that  unhappy 
time,  when  old  Katy  Fergusson  was  yet  a  girl,  she 
was  converted  under  the  teaching  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  M.  Mason.  Her  examination  before  the  session, 
and  the  purpose  of  admitting  her  to  communion, 
excited  some  murmuring  and  much  speculation 
amongst  those  whose  skins  God  had  made  fair.  For 
thus  far  could  an  evil  habit  of  mind  prevent  even 
Christians  froiii  rejoicing,  when  according  to  His 
promise,  "  Ethiopia  stretched  forth  her  hands  to 
Grod."  The  good  and  resolute  doctor  took  no  notice 
of  these  murmurings,  but,  with  the  dignity  which  his 
commanding  figure  and  grave  deportment  rendered 
so  becoming,  and  with  the  solemnity  which  the  occa- 
sion demanded,  he  passed  down  to  Katy's  distant 
seat,  led  her  to  the  table  in  presence  of  his  great 
congregation,  and  exclaimed  with  deep  emotion,  "  If 
any  man  be  in  Christ  he  is  a  new  creature."  "  There 
is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  there  is  neither  bond  nor 
free."  "  Whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of  my  Father, 
the  same  is  my  brother,  and  sister,  and  mother." 
Prejudice  in  her  case  was  disarmed  and  abashed, 


THE   COLORED  RACE.  261 

and  by-and-by  Katy's  freedom  was  purchased.  She, 
like  most  of  her  tribe,  is  a  capital  cook.  They  have 
the  knack  of  it,  and  can  stand  any  amount  of  heat. 
She  has  made  many  wedding  cakes  and  wedding 
suppers,  and  had  many  young  women  under  her 
training  as  pastry  cooks,  to  whom  she  has  been 
made  useful  in  spiritual  things. 

In  her  house  was  held  the  first  Sabbath-School  of 
New  York,  and  for  forty  years  she  has  had  a  weekly 
prayer-meeting  there.  When  we  joined  the  little 
group,  her  pastor  and  a  city  missionary  were  present. 
There  was  a  curious  gathering  of  us — three  colored, 
three  Jewesses,  and  a  young  couple  lately  from  Glen- 
caim,  whose  amazement  was  unbounded  at  being 
hailed  by  us  as  fellow  Dumfriesians.  It  touched  us 
to  sing  the  Scotch  version  of  Psalms  to  the  old  airs  of 
French  and  Balerma,  and  brought  melting  feelings 
of  a  quiet  seat  now  vacant,  and  a  voice  now  silent, 
a  whole  tribe  of  strong  memories  which  are  not  read, 
nor  even  suspected  by  any  bystander. 

It  is  striking  to  observe  the  contrast — while  some 
professors,  drawn  aside  by  prosperity,  are  one  day 
at  the  Lord's  table,  and  another  introducing  their 
oflFspring  to  crowded  dancing-parties ;  here  is  an 
aged  and  now  feeble  and  poo^  woman,  for  years 
keeping  an  altar  in  her  house,  and  helping  others 


262  THE  COLORED  RA.CE. 

on  the  way  to  heaven.  She  is  a  person  of  varied 
talent  and  much  energy,  still,  and  one  day  brought 
in  to  us  a  bouquet  of  waxen  flowers,  made  by  her 
own  trembling  hands,  good  and  pretty  imitations  of 
nature. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  the  church  will  care  for  her  in- 
creasing wants,  till  she  ceases  to  want  any  more. 
A  friend  observed  to  me  that  evening,  "  These  Glen- 
cairn  people  will  presently  change  their  house,  and 
slip  out  of  Katy's  influence."  When  I,  uninitiated, 
asked  the  reason  with  surprise,  I  was  told,  "  They 
are  still  in  happy  ignorance  about  the  prejudice 
against  color,  but  they  will  soon  be  taught,  and  be- 
cause they  will  be  ashamed  to  break  oflF  from  so 
good  a  woman,  they  will  just  slip  away  by  removing 
to  another  place."  This,  with  many  other  exam- 
ples, proved  to  me  that  the  sentiment  is  not  so 
much  an  instinctive  aversion,  as  an  educational 
prejudice,  which  prevents  the  one  race  from  eating, 
or  even  worshipping  in  company  with  the  other. 

One  of  the  leading  and  popular  ministers  in  the 
city,  stated  to  me  that  he  had  resided  for  months 
with  a  family  in  a  Southern  State,  who  assembled 
their  negroes  every  evening  while  he  conducted 
worship,  including  a  short  and  simple  exposition  of 
a  passage  of  Scripture.     He  said  it  was  one  of  the 


THE  COLORED  RACE.  263 

most  trying  exercises  he  was  ever  engaged  in,  from 
the  extreme  excitability  of  the  people.     He  had 
reasoned  with  them  apart,  against  giving  way  to 
their  feelings,  he  had  rebuked  them  when  together 
on  the  first  symptom  of  strong  emotion,  he  had  been 
calm  even  to  coldness  himself,  but  night  after  night, 
the  plainest  statement  of  gospel  truth  would  throw 
some   into   uncontrollable   passions    of    tears,   and 
others  into   convulsions.     One  woman,   a  nursing 
mother,  and  confided  in  by  all  on  the  plantation,  by 
reason  of  years  of  Christian  and  prayerful  consist- 
ency, fell  nightly  into  convulsions  and  must  be  car- 
ried out.     This  gentleman  imputed   these  violent 
emotions  to  a  peculiarity  in  the  negro  constitution ; 
while  in  my  secret  heart  I  questioned  what  manner 
of  nerve-shaking  events  a  day  may  produce  in  such 
a   situation— or  what  known,  and  perhaps  forced 
sins,  might   be   then   making   conscience   tremble. 
He  adduced  other  instances  of  similar  agitations 
and  seizures,  and  specially  that  of  a  strongly  built 
free  colored  man,  whom  he  had  seen,  on  difi"erent 
occasions,  seized  with  what  might  be  termed  cata- 
lepsy.    His  frame  would  become  rigid,  or  one  limb 
would  be  as  inflexible  for  hours  as  if  it  were  a  bit 
of  timber,  while   the   power   of  speech  would   be 
taken  from  him.     The  same  affections  seized  the 


264  THE  COLOEED  EACE. 

South  Sea  Islanders,  who,  under  convictions  of 
their  lost  condition,  were  subject  to  nearly  similar 
paroxysms.  Such  uncontrollable  emotions,  are  to 
be  deplored  as  very  disturbing  where  instruction 
should  be  conveyed,  besides  giving  the  evil  disposed 
opportunity  to  impute  them  to  hypocrisy  or  design. 
Yet  when  we  weigh  the  immense  horrors  arising 
from  a  view  of  dangers  that  refer  to  a  never-ending 
condition,  it  is  not  the  convulsed  and  the  groaning, 
but  the  unconverted,  who  are  laughing  and  trifling, 
that  are  more  suitable  subjects  of  wonder. 

There  is  likely  a  habit,  and  expectation  of  this 
kind  of  excitement,  which  might  explain  the  rising 
and  sitting  down,  the  utterance  of  groans  and  loud 
"  amens,"  and  "  glorys,"  which  we  heard  in  one  dark 
congregation,  to  which  we  made  our  way  on  a  Sab- 
bath evening,  at  Washington.  All  that  the  minister 
repeated  and  reiterated  in  three  quarters  of  an 
hour,  might  have  been  more  wisely  said,  at  least  to 
my  taste,  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  none  of  it  was  of 
a  very  arousing  character.  But  I  suppose  as  much 
response  is  often  heard  in  Methodist  chapels  in 
England,  though  without  the  same  bodily  move- 
ment. After  the  service  the  minister  mentioned 
that,  "  the  church  was  dimly  lighted,  he  did  not  see 
any  reason  why,  when  they  enjoyed  the  light  of  the 


THE  COLORED  RACE.  266 

gospel,  they  should  not  have  as  clear  light  to  hear 
it  by  as  other  churches  have.  The  fault  was  in  the 
lamps — they  must  have  new  ones.  To  procure 
these,  he  was  commissioned  by  the  deacons  to  in- 
vite the  ladies  and  gentlemen  to  hold  a  soiree  on  a 
certain  evening,  their  admission  would  cost  them  a 
small  sum,  when  they  would  have  tea  and  fruit,  and 
addresses  from  gentlemen  whom  he  named,  and 
some  sweet  hymn-singing  and  prayer.  He  was  the 
more  encouraged  to  fall  into  this  plan,  because  of 
the  suitable  and  proper  behavior  of  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  on  a  similar  occasion,  last  year.  In- 
deed, some  of  the  ladies  had  begun  to  make  prepara- 
tion for  the  meeting  already.  He  hoped  they  would 
all  come  and  conduct  as  well  as  they  did  last  year." 
The  impression  made  on  us  by  this  address,  is  most 
briefly  described  as  vefry  queer.  Rather  exaggerated 
politeness,  and  obvious  imitativeness.  Thoughtless 
people  might  be  disposed  to  laugh.  For  myself,  its 
novelty  amused  me,  but  there  was  a  better  senti- 
ment, that  of  gladness  to  see  the  people  managing 
their  own  affairs,  and  struggling  up  to  independence 
in  that  which  touches  themselves  so  nearly. 

When  I  entered  the  pew  at  first,  I  asked  two 
smart-looking  young  women  if  I  should  intrude  on 
some  one's  room,  if  I  sat  there.     "  O  no,  Madam — 


266  THE  COLOEED  RACE. 

but  if  you  d(yri}t  like  to  sit  loith  zis,  go  into  that  side 
seat,  and  none  of  us  will  come  near  you."  Having  no 
taste  for  being  sent  to  Coventry,  I  sat  where  I  was. 

I  never  conversed  with  a  slave  but  once,  and  hav- 
ing written  what  passed  at  the  time  to  a  friend  at 
home,  I  copy  it.  It  showed  me  that  very  many  per- 
sons in  the  sad  condition  of  bondmen  are  tolerably 
well  used,  and  not  very  unhappy.  It  also  showed 
me  more  of  the  helplessness  produced  by  the  depend- 
ent condition,  and  how  little  they  who  pine  for  free- 
dom, are,  in  the  first  instance,  able  to  enjoy  it.  In- 
deed, we  learned  at  Washiagton  that  it  is  by  no 
means  rare  for  the  well-fed  and  clothed  bondman, 
who  is  there  in  attendance  on  his  Southern  master, 
to  despise  the  colored  freeman  who  is  poorly  clothed 
and  fed  in  comparison  to  him,  and  leads  a  laborious 
life.  The  pampered  valet,  however,  is  no  true  speci- 
men of  what  the  negro  on  the  tobacco,  cotton,  or  rice 
plantation  is,  even  though  we  leave  out  of  the  com- 
parison all  that  refers  to  morality  and  volition. 

I  had  sent  for  the  man  with  whom  I  conversed, 
merely  to  make  an  inquiry  about  the  way  to  a  place 
I  wished  to  visit.  His  features  were  pleasant,  beam- 
ing, and  ivory  black.  Having  obtained  my  infor- 
mation, I  felt  a  strong  desire  to  learn  if  he  was  free, 
but  my  heart  beat  so,  I  could  not  utter  the  question. 


THE   COLORED  RACE.  267 


A  companion,  however,  asked  him.  "  No,"  said  he, 
smiling  cheerfully,  "  but  I  am  buying  myself ;  I  have 
paid  $300,  I  have  $50  more  ready,  and  then  I  want 
$150  more  to  be  free."  "  Where  is  your  owner?" 
"  He  is  down  in  Georgia,  but  comes  along  about 
twice  a  year  to  see  after  me."  "  How  long  have  you 
been  in  this  city  ?"  "  Twelve  years.  I  have  a  wife 
free,  and  God  has  been  very  kind  to  us  in  giving  us 
but  one  child — so  I  have  not  much  to  lay  out  for 
my  family,  and  can  save  the  faster.  Besides,  I 
never  let  myself  think  I  can't  do  without  this,  or  I 
must  have  that,  as  some  of  our  people  do,  but  just 
do  without  everything,  except  what  is  necessary  to 
make  me  look  decent."  "  You  can  read — how  did 
you  learn  ?"  "I  used  to  play  with  my  owner's  chil- 
dren, and  when  they  say, '  come  away  and  play,'  I 
say  to  them, '  teach  me  the  lesson  your  tutor  taught 
you  this  morning,  first ;'  and  so  I  learnt  a  little,  and 
T  worked  hard  myself"  "  And  what  are  you  going 
to  do  with  yourself,  when  you  have  bought  yourself?" 
"That  is  just  what  I  am  at  a  loss- about."  "Do 
you  think  of  Liberia  ?"  "  Why,  I  listen  as  I  hear 
gentlemen  talk  about  it.  The  Society  will  send  me 
and  my  family  across — then  they  don't  give  but  six 
months'  rations  after  you  land  ;  and  then  there  will 
be  forests  to  clear,  and  stumps  in  the  ground,  and  the 


268  THE   COLORED  RACE. 

acclimating  fever,  and  no  return  for  the  labor  at  the 
end  of  six  months."  "  But  you  might  hire  yourself 
to  some  one  at  odd  days,  and  so  earn  a  little,  while 
your  crop  grows."  "  But  I  have  no  tools."  "  Oh, 
our  '  Navvies'  in  England  sometimes  come  along  to 
a  piece  of  work,  when  they  ^ve  dissipated  the  very 
coat  off  their  back  ;  one  lends  a  pick,  and  another  a 
spade ;  at  the  week's  end  they  can  buy  tools,  and 
presently  they  get  decently  clothed."  He  shook  his 
careful  head.  It  was  strange  to  see  an  acute,  sensi- 
ble man,  using  all  lawful  means  to  purchase  himself, 
understanding  how  to  pay  by  instalments,  and  hav- 
ing a  regular  receipt  for  each  payment,  and  yet, 
from  want  of  use  about  daily  provision  and  self-man- 
agement, more  at  a  loss  what  to  do  with  himself, 
than  he  is  for  the  means  to  make  the  purchase 
When  asked  why  he  paid  S300  before  he  could 
make  up  the  whole  price,  as  he  got  no  interest  from 
his  owner,  I  understood  him  to  say  that  he  could 
not  place  it  out  at  interest,  or  be  known  to  own  it, 
and  that  if  he  died,  it  would  not  belong  to  his  wife 
and  child,  but  to  his  master,  as  a  slave  can  own 
nothing. 

Reverting  to  his  grand  difficulty,  he  said,  "  About 
Liberia,  too,  now  that  it  is  made  independent,  what 
if  America  should  quarrel  with  us  ?"     "  America 


THE  COLORED  RACE. 


has  a  strong  interest  in  keeping  on  good  terms  with 
Liberia."  "  Then  if  Great  Britain  should  go  to  war 
with  us,  would  America  embroil  herself  with  Britain 
for  us  ?  And  which  side  could  we  take  if  they  were 
at  war  ?  Britain  has  been  always  kind  to  Liberia." 
"  Don't  be  faint-hearted,  that  must  all  come  as  it 
may.  A  British  steamer  has  just  reached  Liberia, 
with  an  honest  treaty  of  commerce,  which  both  par- 
ties have  signed.  Besides,  you  are  going  to  have  a 
line  of  steamers  to  run  between  this  country  and  that 
immediately.  Liberia  is  growing  in  strength.  You 
cannot  here  rise  above  a  depressed  condition  ;  there 
you  are  not  only  free,  but  have  equal  rights." 
"  Well,  I  listen^  listen  to  the  talk  of  the  gentlemen  at 
table,  and  when  they  notice  me  they  say, '  What  bet- 
ter would  you  be  of  freedom  1  ain't  you  very  happy 
here  V  and  I  say,  '  Sir,  would  you  like  it  if  you  had 
five  children  and  I  had  three,  if  I  say  to  you.  You 
work  and  give  me  all  your  wages  for  my  three,  and 
let  your  own  five  do  as  they  can  ?  You  would  not 
like  that.'  '  0  don't  talk  that  way.  Tom,  you  will 
stir  up  discontent  among  the  colored  folks.'  '  Well,' 
says  I, '  I  don't  speak  so  to  them,  for,  poor  things, 
they  could  not  bear  it.'  But  I  say  it  to  you.  Sir, 
for  it  is  true."  "  What  is  it,"  I  inquired,  "  that  en- 
ables you  to  bear  it  better  than  the  rest,  Thomas  V 


270  THE  COLORED  RACE. 

"  You  see,  I  lay  my  case  before  the  Lord,  and  just 
ask  him  to  make  me  free  or  keep  me  slave,  or  to  do 
with  me  just  what  He  pleases,  and  that  keeps  me 
quiet,  and  I  tell  my  people  to  be  quiet,  for  there  is 
no  color  in  His  presence." 

The  hope  of  salvation  shed  a  calm  and  dignified 
sweetness  and  patience  over  his  sable  countenance. 
"  Poor  things,"  said  he,  again,  "  they  could  not  bear 
it, — no,  no,  they  could  not  bear  it."  "  Do  you  try 
to  do  them  good  ?"  "  When  I  was  laborer  here  and 
there  at  riding,  shingling,  and  farming,  I  taught 
Sabbath-school,  and  I  never  frightened  the  little 
ones  about  hell-fire  or  such  things,  they  hear  enough 
of  that" — ^he  did  not  say  from  whom — "  but  I  clap 
their  heads  and  love  them,  and  tell  them  first  to  be 
good  to  their  parents,  and  they  will  be  always  kind 
to  them.  And  when  they  understand  that,  I  tell 
them  to  obey  God,  the  great  Parent  of  us  all,  and 
He  will  be  kind  to  them,  and  make  them  very  hap- 
py in  heaven  for  His  dear  Son's  sake, — ^and  they 
used  all  to  get  very  fond  of  me."  "  You  have  very 
few  slaves  here  now  ?"  '•  Some — always  some." 
"  They  are  kindly  used  though,  and  not  punished 
here  ?"  This  I  asked  trembling,  for,  to  tell  truth, 
at  six  in  the  morning  I  had  quivered  from  head  to 
foot  at  some  unusual  sounds  which  reached  my  cham 


THE   COLORED  RACE.  •  271 

ber,  that  looked  upon  a  back  yard.  It  was  the  Sab- 
bath morning — the  morning,  as  I  remembered,  set 
apart  in  some  places  for  inflicting  punishment.  The 
sounds  were  strange,  and  my  heart  was  very  full  for 
the  people  all  around  me.  "  Not  punished,"  re- 
plied Thomas,  "  no — not  much  punished.  There  is 
a  whipping-post  in  the  yard, — but  we  don't  have  the 
whipping  now  that  used  to  be.  I  have  been  so  long 
a  time  with  my  master,  that  I  make  free  to  say  a 
word  now  and  then.  And  when  a  servant  does 
wrong,  I  venture  to  say,  might  it  not  be  as  well  to 
change  him  and  hire  another,  and  not  whip  him, 
— and  he  rather  takes  that  way  now."  "Well, 
Thomas,  patience  and  prayer  will  conquer.  The 
Lord  knows  what  is  best,  and  will  provide  for  you 
when  you  are  free." 

Patient,  ingenious,  kind,  and  brave, — perhaps  he 
will  never  venture  to  throw  off  the  disability  at- 
tached to  his  complexion  in  the  land  of  his  birth, 
yet  he  has  that  about  him  which  would  make  him 
an  acquisition,  as  a  citizen,  to  any  country. 


t  Cnlnni}atinn  IntiBtij. 


When  first  we  heard  of  this  Society  in  England 
it  was  hailed  with  joy,  as  a  wise  outlet  for  the  op- 
pressed, and  a  promising  method  of  introducing  civ- 
ilization to  the  western  coast  of  Africa. 

Those  who  had  felt  the  slave-trade  the  most  deep- 
ly as  a  wrong  and  impediment  in  every  way  to  that 
coast,  were  those  who  gave  to  the  agents  of  coloni- 
zation the  most  ardent  welcome  to  England.  But 
in  a  year  or  two  the  prospect  was  clouded. 

The  Maryland  State  Colonization  Society  stated 
broadly  at  its  seventh  anniversary,  that  "  Abolition 
is  a  curse  to  those  it  pretends  to  benefit,  and  coloni- 
zation presents  the  only  practicable  plan  by  which 
the  condition  of  the  colored  population  can  be  ame- 
liorated." And  again,  "  That  this  Society  hold 
colonization  to  be  the  antagonist  of  Abolition,  and 
find  the  best  proof  of  the  importance  of  the  former 
to  the  States  where  slavery  exists,  in  the  untiring 
efforts  made  by  the  latter,  to  defeat  and  prostrate 


THE   COLONIZATION"  SOCIETY.  273 

it."*  There  was  then  no  purpose  of  benefit  to  the 
whole  colored  family.  It  seemed  a  scheme  adopted 
by  Slave  States  to  rid  themselves  of  a  few  free  ne- 
groes who  were  in  too  dangerous  a  proximity  to  their 
slaves.  We  had  also  hints  of  evil  and  turbulent 
slaves,  who  were  an  annoyance  at  home,  receiving 
the  gift  of  manumission  merely  that  they  might  be 
got  rid  of.  We  were  led  to  conjecture  that  several 
had  been  placed  at  Liberia  against  their  own  con- 
sent ;  and,  as  the  slave-owners  could  never  contem- 
plate transporting  three  millions  of  people  across 
the  ocean,  we  were  left  in  doubt  whether  the  motive, 
held  out  to  us,  of  improvement  to  Africa,  and  free- 
dom to  slaves,  was  the  real  one,  or  whether  Liberia 
was  not  in  fact  a  mere  penal  colony,  or  a  safety 
valve,  as  a  receptacle  for  those  who  could  not  be 
managed  at  home.  The  numbers  sent  were  fewer 
than  one  would  have  expected  from  the  active  be- 
nevolence of  Americans,  who  achieve  great  things 
when  they  are  really  moved,  and  never  seem  to  fail 
in  any  good  design  for  want  of  funds.  In  short, 
we  required  to  investigate  and  to  be  reassured,  be- 
fore we  dared  heartily  to  rejoice  in  the  plans  of  the 
Society. 

*  Kesolutions  at  the  public  meeting  held  at  Annapolis^ 
Jan.  23,  1839. 

18 


274  THE   COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

After  many  and  anxious  inquiries,  I  am  happy  to 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  motives  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society  are  purely  philanthropic.  It  has 
steadily  adhered  to  its  one  object — that  of  sending, 
with  their  own  consent,  people  of  color  to  Africa, 
and  out  of  the  accomplishment  of  this  object  is  ris- 
ing the  good  prognosticated.  One  free  colony  after 
another  is  springing  up  on  those  deadly  shores  once 
haunted  by  the  kidnapper  and  the  man-hunter.  And 
the  traffickers  in  human  flesh  so  stupidly  debased, 
who  steeped  their  souls  in  horrors,  and  spent  their 
days  in  watching  and  plotting,  and  their  nights  in 
rapine  and  cruelty,  are  learning  that  their  fertile 
soil  can  enrich  them  by  its  varied  and  bountiful  pro- 
ductions, while  they  possess  just  rights  themselves, 
and  allow  them  also  to  their  fellow-men. 

Although  the  idea  of  removing  the  African  race 
from  the  American  continent  by  means  of  Liberia  is 
like  baling  out  the  ocean  with  a  bucket,  yet  the 
thriving  Republic,  with  its  rising  seaport  towns, 
forms  a  suitable  home  for  many  of  them,  and  ex- 
hibits a  fine  pattern  to  the  uncivilized  nations  around 
them.  Monrovia  was  the  first  settlement,  and  is 
the  seat  of  government.  But  since  then  Edina  is 
added  as  a  seaport,  and  with  the  new  colony  of  Ma- 
ryland at  Cape  Palmas,  is  included  under  the  gen- 


THE  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  275 

eral  name  of  Liberia.  Thus  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety has  an  average  of  forty  miles  inland,  and  a 
coast  line  of  three  hundred  and  ,  fifty  miles,  secured 
from  the  abominable  traffic  in  man — and  fourteen 
thousand  square  miles  of  territory  protected  and 
ready  for  the  free  and  peaceful  labors  of  the  hus- 
bandman. 

The  Rev.  R.  R.  Grurley,  who  was  sent  by  govern- 
ment to  obtain  information  in  1850,  reports  "  the 
mighty  effects  wrought  on  the  intellects,  hopes,  and 
purposes  of  the  authorities  and  people  of  Liberia  by 
the  freedom  which  has  ever  been  theirs  upon  these 
shores,  and  the  high  position  they  have  now  taken 
of  national  independence.  Some  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished men  of  the  Republic  are  among  those 
who  went  thither  in  childhood,  have  received  their 
entire  education  in  its  schools,  and  bear  in  their  man- 
ners, their  whole  deportment,  and  upon  their  very 
aspect,  the  signs  of  a  just  self-respect,  of  subdued 
passions,  of  virtuous  resolutions,  and  of  a  mature 
and  well-disciplined  judgment."* 

The  laws  of  Liberia  against  the  slave-trade  are 
full  and  explicit : — "  1.  No  vessel  of  their  Republic 
is  permitted  to  have  intercourse  with  slave-ships,  at 

*  Report  to  the  Senate  through  the  Secretary  of  State, 
Daniel  Webster.    Washington,  September  14,  1850. 


276  THE  COLONIZATION   SOCIETY. 

sea  or  elsewhere.  2.  No  citizen  of  their  Republic 
can  be  permitted  to  act  as  agent  for  any  person 
engaged  in  the  slave-trade,  under  penalty  of  being 
six  months  bound  to  hard  labor  in  irons — ^no  one 
living  there  shall  enter  into  the  employ  of  any  slave- 
dealer.  3.  No  vessel  engaged  in,  or  having  connec- 
tion with  the  slave-trade  shall  enter  the  ports  of  the 
Republic,  and  no  foreigner  residing  within  its  juris- 
diction shall  have  any  connection  with  that  trade." 
In  short,  the  laws  exhibit  a  determined  resolve  to 
keep  such  pollution  far  from  their  rising  nation,  and 
furnish  a  cheering  prospect  that,  by  its  aid,  that 
baleful  source  of  crime  and  cruelty  will  finally  be 
extinguished. 

The  founders  of  the  Society,  Samuel  J.  Mills  and 
Dr.  Finley,  are  men  whose  names  are  held  in  honor 
by  the  pious  in  their  country.  The  measures  adop- 
ted for  the  first  settlement  at  Monrovia  seemed  wise, 
and  encountered  no  other  drawbacks  than  those  of 
fever  and  ague,  and  such  troubles  as  attend  upon 
men  who  march  in  the  van  to  fell  the  forest,  and 
drain  the  swamp,  and  turn  the  wilderness  and  soli^ 
tary  place  into  a  cultivated  field. 

The  great  obstacle  to  the  success  and  popularity 
of  the  place  among  the  colored  people  appears  to  be 
ihat  they  are  acted  for,  not  acting.     Their  depressed 


THE   COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  277 


condition,  and  their  ignorance  render  them  poor 
judges  of  their  own  affairs,  while  centuries  of  injury 
deprive  them  of  confidence  in  those  who  would  now 
judge  for  them.  It  is  easy  to  fill  their  ears  with 
unfounded  tales  of  the  hardships  and  difficulties  of 
the  settlement,  and  not  easy  to  excite  in  them  a 
spirit  of  enterprise  of  sufficient  power  to  raise  them 
from  their  native  land  and  native  lowly  position. 

Having  become  convinced  that  my  recent  opinion 
of  the  Colonization  Society  was  unjust,  I  went  to  its 
anniversary  meeting  during  the  busy  week  of  mission- 
ary anniversaries  in  May — though  it  was  so  little  an 
object  of  favor  in  my  circle  that  I  could  not  find  a 
lady  inclined  to  accompany  me.  The  most  remark- 
able feature  of  the  meeting  was,  that  in  the  gay  and 
crowded  Tripler  Hall  which  blazed  with  light,  I 
could  see  only  one  colored  man,  and  he  seemed  a 
servant  of  the  place.  How  strange  that  what  may  con- 
cern them  so  deeply,  should  not  attract  many  to  learn 
the  condition  of  the  colony  erected  for  their  sakes. 

I  remembered  having  stepped  into  a  meeting  in 
Edinburgh,  where  plans  for  colonizing  Otago,  a  set- 
tlement in  New  Zealand,  were  exhibited.  The  com- 
pany did  not  consist  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  set 
down  to  hear  speeches.  The  man  and  his  young 
wife,  the  father  and  his  two  sons,  sisters  and  broth- 


278  THE   COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 


ers,  and  interested  friends  were  there,  of  various 
grades  of  society.  They  advanced  to  the  tables  and 
examined  the  plans.  They  asked  sensible  questions 
of  the  knowing  men  whose  business  it  was  to  answer 
them.  They  studied  bills  on  the  wall  announcing 
the  sailing  of  ships  for  that  region.  You  could  al- 
most tell  by  the  countenances  in  that  interested  as- 
sembly, who  had  fixed  to  go,  and  who  were  seeking 
materials  for  the  decision.  The  scene  had  a  real 
colonization  atmosphere  about  it — it  carried  your 
mind  to  a  wharf  laden  with  packages,  and  a  deck 
crowded  with  farewells.  Not  so  the  meeting  in 
Tripler  Hall.  We  heard  some  eloquence,  some  ego- 
tism, some  self-defence,  some  wit,  much  irrelevance, 
and  some  nonsense.  It  was  not  a  business-like  audi- 
ence at  all.  Most  unlike  the  close  attention,  the  ar- 
dent listening,  the  lively  sympathy  of  the  meetings 
in  the  Tabernacle  which  occupied  that  week.  How 
many  opportunities  did  the  speakers  fail  to  employ 
of  showing  the  wrongs  of  Africa,  the  duty  to  compen- 
sate them,  the  means  afforded  by  this  Society  to  intro- 
duce the  leaven  of  civilization  and  Christianity  among 
the  benighted — more  darkened  still  by  our  injuries 
— and  of  describing  the  flourishing  colony  already 
formed,  and  its  still  brighter  prospects.  What  elo- 
quence might  have  flowed  forth,  on  planting  the  stan- 


THE  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  279 

dard  of  liberty  on  shores  which  for  centuries  had  been 
haunted  only  by  the  tyrant  and  the  slave.  How 
insipid  was  the  defence  of  a  man's  dear  self  against 
some  petty  calumny.  How  poor  and  distasteful  was 
the  most  pointed  wit,  when  it  detains  us  on  the 
shore,  while  such  an  ocean  of  spirit-rousing  matter 
for  the  philanthropist  lay  unreached  beyond  ! 

When  last  of  all.  a  sensible  man  with  business-like 
information  began  to  address  them,  the  audience 
seemed  to  have  got  the  laugh  it  came  for,  and  in  a 
fit  of  impatience  rushed  away.  That  good  man 
sought  to  encourage  colored  people  to  get  education 
and  to  learn  trades  with  a  view  to  fit  them  for  Li- 
beria ;  and  mentioned  one  talented  and  educated 
family  of  his  acquaintance  in  Baltimore  who  had 
gone  to  that  country.  One  son,  I  think  he  said,  had 
become  an  officer  of  State,  and  one  daughter  was  the 
wife  of  the  Grovernor.  But  much  that  he  said  which 
was  well  worth  listening  to,  was  imperfectly  heard 
by  the  retiring  multitude,  and  the  meeting  seemed 
altogether  ineffective. 

This  exhibition  had  the  effect  of  again  damping 
my  hopes  from  the  Colonization  Society,  though  I 
was  told  that  the  business  was  all  despatched  in 
committee.  Yet  surely  business  results,  such  as  the 
state  of  the  funds,  the  number  gone  out  in  the  year, 


280  THE  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

the  number  preparing  to  go,  &c.,  might  have  been 
interesting  to  the  meeting.  It  does  not  appear  that 
many  are  willing  to  go,  nor  amongst  them,  many 
whose  previous  habits  and  education  are  of  a  kind 
calculated  to  strengthen  or  elevate  the  colony.  Nev- 
ertheless the  colony  is  "  a  true  thing,"  and  having 
Christianity  and  free  institutions,  we  look  upon  it 
with  hope,  as  the  model  of  many  a  republic,  which 
may  yet  arise  on  that  most  injured  and  down-trodden 
coast. 

But  turn  which  way  we  may,  the  question  still 
recurs — What  is  to  become  of  the  American  Afri- 
cans ?  In  the  presence  of  the  white  man  they  can- 
not rise.  It  is  an  injury  to  the  character  of  the 
white  man,  to  have  a  people  with  him  who  is  not  of 
him,  a  people  whom  he  may  degrade  by  a  false  ele- 
vation of  himself  He  is  strong  and  hearty.  He 
needs  no  hewers  of  wood  or  drawers  of  water.  He 
will  be  a  better  man  when  he  does  his  lawful  work 
himself,  and  when  those  are  removed  who  excite  his 
contempt  or  his  scorn — those  on  whom  he  may  vent 
his  fit  of  spleen  and  injustice,  if  such  fit  ever  happens 
to  come  upon  him. 

They  cannot  be  all  removed  to  Africa.  There 
are  enough  of  them  already  shivering  in  Canada, 
who  if  every  one  had  his  own^  as  some  grudging 


THE  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY.  281 

Southerners  may  say,  would  not  be  there.  Happily 
for  them,  the  fugitive  slave  law  cannot  cross  that 
border.  Still  they  are  not  in  a  climate  that  suits 
them.  The  verge  of  the  frigid  can  never  make  a 
comfortable  home  for  the  denizen  of  the  torrid  zone. 
Why  not  give  up  to  the  whole  race  a  State  for  them- 
selves, at  the  South,  and  leave  them  to  erect  a  stan- 
dard of  freedom  there,  and  bless  the  bounty  of  the 
United  States.  Then  might  America  raise  her  strain 
without  a  discord — 

"  Hail  Columbia,  happy  land, 
For  all  thy  sons  are  free." 

Then  would  the  might  of  her  influence  be  doubled 
on  earth,  an^  then  could  she  lift  up  a  light  and  glad 
heart  to  heaven. 

This  prejudice  against  complexion  would  begin  to 
fade,  as  soon  as  the  necessity  of  living  mingled  to- 
gether was  removed,  and  all  affairs  of  trade,  com- 
merce, and  policy  could  proceed  naturally,  as  they 
do  with  other  countries.  At  present  there  are  per- 
plexities and  anomalies  of  various  sorts  occurring, 
which  oblige  governments  to  wink  hard,  and  endure 
what  they  disapprove,  or  to  turn  comers  with  any- 
thing but  the  dignified  movements  of  free  States. 

How  unfit  is  it  that  England,  for  peace'  sake, 
should  allow  her  black  sailors  to  be  locked  up,  the 


282  THE   COLONIZATION  SOCIETY. 

hour  they  enter  the  ports  of  some  American  slave 
State.  What  an  injustice  to  the  honest,  industrious 
tar,  to  deal  with  him  as  with  a  criminal. 

Yet  this  is  one  result  of  the  slave-ridden  condi- 
tion of  some  of  the  southern  sea-ports ;  they  dare 
not  admit  free  blacks  to  company  with  slaves. 

On  the  26th  of  July,  1847,  the  Constitution  of 
Liberia  was  published,  and  her  independence  pro- 
claimed. She  has  thus  been  a  free  republic,  exer- 
cising all  the  rights  of  free  government,  for  nearly 
five  years.  Her  claim,  then,  to  be  reckoned  among 
the  nations,  ought  not,  and  cannot  with  justice,  be 
denied.  She  holds  friendly  relations  with  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  must,  like  other  nations,  have  her 
charg6-d'aflfaires  at  Washington.  But  all  her  peo- 
ple are  dark.  A  white  man  cannot  sit,  or  eat,  or 
commune  with  such,  on  equal  terms.  What  then 
must  be  done  ?  Must  Liberia  remain  unrepresented 
before  the  State  that  has  fostered  her  into  what  she 
is — the  State  that  hopes  to  see  her  grow  in  great- 
ness ?  or  must  Liberia  borrow  a  white  man  to  stand 
her  sponsor  ?  Or,  will  America,  with  a  magnanim- 
ity so  becoming  a  great  and  a  free  nation,  swallow 
down  her  prejudice,  receive  a  true  Liberian  envoy, 
and  show  him  all  honor  for  the  sake  of  Liberty,  and 
of  Ms  origin. 


Our  early  knowledge  of  prisons  is  commonly  de- 
rived from  history,  and  consequently,  they,  with  too 
much  reason,  are  associated  in  the  mind  with  deeds 
of  injustice,  oppression,  and  cruelty.  Dungeons 
where  brave  warriors  are  sighing  out  their  exist- 
ence, deep,  deep,  below  the  sympathy  and  the  hear- 
ing of  man.  Towers  where  infant  princes  pay  the 
forfeit  of  life  to  the  fell  usurper.  Inquisitions 
where,  for  daring  to  think  or  inquire,  the  intelli- 
gent, liberal,  and  devout  are  tortured  under  the  re- 
morseless gripe  of  papal  tyranny.  Such  are  the 
images  called  up  by  the  word  "  Prison"  in  the  mind 
of  the  inexperienced. 

After-years  teach  that  prisoners  are  not  necessa- 
rily oppressed,  and  prisons  are  not  all  scenes  of  in- 
justice and  cruelty.  Yet  it  requires  long  habit  be- 
fore the  steep  cold  stone  steps  of  a  common  jail  can 
be  ascended  without  a  trembling  heart,  and  the 
hardened  and  careless  inmates  faced  without  strong 


284  PKisoNS. 


repulsion  mingling  with  pity.  It  requires  a  consid- 
eration of  the  untaught,  the  impoverished,  and  the 
tempted  case  of  many  a  poor  criminal ;  and  also  a 
consideration  of  what  is  in  our  own  hearts,  before 
we  can  say,  as  did  the  well-taught  man,  when  he 
saw  a  convict  passing  to  Tyburn,  "but  for  the 
grace  of  God  there  goes  John  Bradford." 

As  the  homes  of  America  are  cleaner,  brighter, 
and  of  purer  air  than  ours,  so  are  their  prisons. 
My  means  of  observation  were  limited.  It  is  not 
easy  for  a  female  to  penetrate  such  places  alone,  nor 
easy  amid  the  busy  and  obliging  multitude,  to  meet 
with  gentlemen  who  do  less  than  marvel  at  your 
taste  in  sight-seeing,  if  you  hint  a  wish  to  visit  such 
scenes.  Such  observations  as  have  come  within 
reach,  however,  show  me  that  the  mistakes  and  ex- 
periences of  old  Europe  have  not  been  lost  on  young 
America.  There  will  never  then,  one  is  led  to 
trust,  be  found  such  dens  of  darkness  and  woe  as 
our  Howard  permeated — and,  even  from  their  foun- 
dation, they  have  profited  by  such  works  as  our 
Buxton's  on  Prison  Discipline,  and  such  operations 
as  those  of  our  Mrs.  Fry  in  prison  classification. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  discuss  the  much  debated 
points,  between  the  systems  of  solitude  in  one 
prison,  or  silence  in  society  in  another.     For  the 


PRISONS.  285 


ofl&cials  the  former  must  be  much  the  more  easy. 
As  to  the  latter,  the  enforcing  of  it — at  least  the 
enforcing  of  non-intercourse,  seems  impracticable. 
The  temptation  to  break  rules,  and  thus  become  an 
offender,  is  very  strong,  because  converse  with  our 
fellows  is  natural.  It  is  a  pity  to  add  to  occasions 
of  offence,  where  there  are  necessarily  so  many ; 
besides,  Solomon  said  long  ago,  that  "a  naughty 
person  winketh  with  his  eyes,  he  speaketh  with  his 
feet,  he  teacheth  with  his  fingers."  He  has  ways 
of  insinuating  his  ideas  though  his  tongue  be 
silenced ;  and  that  it  is  so,  seems  calculated  to  make 
his  feelings  the  more  bitter.  It  would  seem  easier, 
more  cheerful,  and  therefore  more  healthful  to  work 
alone  all  day,  if  your  workshop  be  well  aired  and 
lighted,  than  to  work  continually  under  restraint  in 
the  midst  of  society,  where  the  very  ingenuity  and 
cleverness  exercised  in  outwitting  the  overseer, 
must  add  constantly  to  the  temptation  to  do  so. 

It  depends  much  on  constitutional  temperament 
how  solitude  will  affect  the  spirit.  We  have  all 
read  with  dismay  the  account  of  that  brave  general 
who,  under  Austrian  despotism,  was  imprisoned 
seventeen  years — at  first  with  a  companion.  The 
first  year  they  discussed  political  affairs,  and  con- 
jectured  as   to   the   cause   of  their   arrest.     The 


286  PRISONS. 


second  they  related  adventures  and  stated  opinions 
on  abstract  subjects.  The  third  they  became  si- 
lent ;  and  when  at  the  end  of  the  fifth  year  his  com- 
panion was  removed,  he  felt  it  rather  a  relief  to  see 
no  more  through  the  gloom,  that  dim  immovable 
countenance.  Once  during  the  remainder  of  the 
time  the  door  was  opened,  and  a  voice,  sounding  to 
his  unaccustomed  ears  like  thunder,  said  he  had  it 
in  command  from  his  Imperial  Majesty  to  inform 
him  that  Madame,  his  wife,  had  died  some  time  last 
year.  When  liberated  he  had  ceased  almost  to 
think  or  to  feel.  Hope  had  nearly  ceased  to  linger 
about  his  heart,  and  the  relations  of  life  had  be- 
come as  nothing  to  him.  Who  that  has  breathed 
the  free  air  of  Britain  or  of  America,  does  not  re- 
coil against  such  a  deed  of  irresponsible  power  ! 

Neither  the  silent  nor  the  solitary  system  in  the 
Free  States  can  ever  expose  a  fellow-man  to  such  a 
crying  injustice  ;  yet  the  effect  of  this  dreamy  soli- 
tude, on  a  man  of  strong  mind,  is  worth  deep  con- 
sideration. Mind,  especially  uninstructed  mind, 
cannot  thrive  in  solitude.  If  it  be  empty  of  every- 
thing but  its  past  evil  associations,  what  can  it  be 
exercised  upon  that  may  purify  or  elevate.  Soli- 
tude, with  employment  and  Christian  teaching,  may 
be  rendered  animated  and  healthful,  and  that  is  the 


PRISONS.  287 


object  to  be  aimed  at  in  solitary  prisons.  Anything 
is  better  than  utter  loneliness.  Robert  the  Bruce's 
contemplations  on  the  perseverance  of  his  spider, 
excites  our  interest,  and  we  sympathize  with  him 
when  it  and  its  intricate  web  were  swept  away. 
And  the  poor  Comte  de  Chamey's  very  small  flower, 
his  Picciola  in  the  court-yard  of  his  prison,  what  a 
power  of  mental  occupation,  and  of  hearty  sympathy 
was  there,  which,  because  it  found  no  other  outlet, 
lavished  itself  on  a  flower.  Such  examples  of  the 
resources  of  refined  minds  cut  off  from  social  inter- 
course, excite  our  interest ;  yet  how  unprofitable  are 
they,  and  how  empty  do  they  leave  the  soul. 

What  an  invaluable  treasure  in  penal  solitude  is 
the  "  Moral  Instructor,"  as  he  is  called  in  the  East- 
ern State  Penitentiary  of  Pennsylvania.  The  soli- 
tary longs  to  hear  the  human  voice.  At  last  his 
loneliness  is  broken  in  upon.  He  is  addressed 
kindly,  with  sage  counsels,  with  friendly  admoni- 
tions, with  gospel  invitations  pointing  to  pardon, 
peace,  and  a  happiness  which  he  has  never  tasted. 
Left  again  alone,  he  pursues  his  work  with  a  new 
leaven  cast  into  his  many  musings,  and  he  longs  for 
the  hour  when  the  friendly  teacher  can  return,  if  it 
be  but  to  hear  his  voice  again,  and  again  to  exercise 
his  own.     We  do  not  know  how  many  new  char- 


288  PRISONS. 


acters  this  plan  may  send  forth,  but  it  is  admirably 
devised.  The  physician's  report  for  1850,  is  wise 
and  candid.  He  is  no  sworn  partizan  of  the  soli- 
tary plan,  but  exhibits  its  disadvantages,  and  points 
to  where  it  is  capable  of  improvement,  with  solici- 
tude to  furnish  the  means  of  a  fair  judgment. 

One  feature  of  the  system  pursued  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Penitentiary  is  worthy  of  applause  and 
imitation — it  affords  the  reclaimed  protection  from 
being  recognized  hereafter  by  their  fellow-prisoners. 
The  Doctor  advises  a  free  intercourse  between  the 
prisoner  and  his  friends,  provided  they  be  people 
of  virtuous  habits,  both  by  visits  and  by  letters, 
which  shall  pass  through  the  hands  of  the  "Warden. 
He  thinks  it  would  be  very  useful,  both  to  the  minds 
and  morals  of  the  convict.  He  also  rejoices  in 
their  rude  attempts  at  the  construction  of  musical 
instruments,  and  in  hearing  through  the  corridors, 
during  the  stillness  of  evening,  the  tones  of  various 
performers.  He  is  a  humane  man,  falling  in  with 
the  design  of  the  State,  which  is  not  simply  to  lock 
up  the  convict  as  a  nuisance  to  society,  but  by 
wholesome  restraints  and  mild  punishment,  with 
good  instruction,  to  bring  him  out  a  better  man  and 
member  of  society. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  Moral  In- 


PKisoNS.  289 


structor's  Report : — "  Here  every  man's  cell  is  not 
only  his  workshop,  but  also  his  school-room  and  his 
study,  where,  secure  from  intrusive  task-masters,  he 
may  calmly  reflect  on  the  consequences  of  evil 
courses,  and  form  good  resolves  for  the  future. 
This,  I  am  satisfied,  is  a  state  of  feeling  at  present 
prevailing  in  the  institution  beyond  comparison 
greater  than  can  be  hoped  for  under  any  circum- 
stances, where  prisoners  pass  their  days  in  con- 
gregated labor,  and  return  at  night  to  cells,  the 
arrangements  of  which  will  not  admit  of  private  in- 
tercourse with  a  religious  instructor."  *  *  *  * 
"  We  ought  to  remember  that  the  measure  of  suc- 
cess is  not  the  rule  of  duty,  and  if  all  is  not  accom- 
plished which  is  desired,  we  must  steadily  and 
patiently  pursue  the  onward  course,  in  the  spirit  of 
that  great  apostle,  who,  hopeless  of  the  conversion 
of  his  nation  collectively,  nevertheless  continued  his 
labor  of  love — '  if  by  any  means  he  might  save 
some.''  We  have  much  reason  to  be  grateful  for 
the  measure  of  success  which  has  marked  the  past 
history  of  this  Penitentiary.  Numerous  instances 
of  a  permanent  change  have  occurred — men  have 
been  taught  how  to  live  and  how  to  die. 

"T.  Larcombe,  Moral  Istructor." 
This  report  is  valuable  in  all  its  departments, 
19 


290  PRISONS. 


and  most  satisfactory  as  giving  the  opinion  of  judi- 
cious and  experienced  men,  as  to  the  practicability 
and  usefulness  of  the  solitary  plan.  Dr.  Given 
is  strenuous  in  his  urgency  as  to  some  medical 
cautions;  he  advises  better  ventilation — more  use 
of  the  large  yards,  and  more  room  to  carry  on 
some  of  their  trades.  He  also  solicitously  explains 
the  number  who  were  of  weak  intellect  when  ad- 
mitted, lest  their  subsequent  insanity  should  be  im- 
puted to  their  solitude.  He  says,  "  I  am  willing 
that  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law  should  be  in- 
flicted on  any  offender  whose  guilt  deserves  it,  but 
I  cannot  admit  that  a  sentence  of  imprisonment 
justifies  the  community  in  placing  the  convict  under 
any  circumstances  likely  to  injure  the  health  of 
either  body  or  mind — and  with  those  whose  con- 
sciences are  tender  on  the  score  of  making  the 
situation  of  the  prisoner  more  desirable  than  that 
of  the  honest  and  industrious  poor  man  or  pauper, 
I  heartily  sympathize,  but  would  with  great  humil- 
ity ask,  if  the  true  exercise  of  their  philanthropy, 
would  not  consist  in  endeavors  to  alleviate  the  con- 
dition of  the  latter,  and  not  in  wishing  to  see  the 
former  still  more  wretched." 

The  thought  expressed  by  their  zealous  physician 
hung  on  my  mind  all  the  time  we  followed  the  steps 


PRISONS.  291 


of  a  beloved  lady  through  the  extensive  and  airy- 
wards  of  the  prison.  Her  countenance  beaming 
with  hopeful  love,  seemed  to  draw  a  kindred  beam 
from  that  even  of  the  oldest  and  least  susceptible 
female  whose  cell  we  entered.  The  proportion  of 
women  was  very  small — only  eleven,  I  think — the 
males  numbering  upwards  of  300.  The  female 
ward  is  on  the  second  floor.  We  ascended  by  a 
light  iron  stairs  to  the  gallery  which  surrounds  it, 
and  crossed  over  in  the  middle  by  an  iron  bridge. 
All  the  doors  open  into  the  gallery,  and  each  has 
in  one  of  the  pannels  a  hole  as  large,  on  the  out- 
side, as  the  eye,  but  sloped  inward  till  it  becomes 
the  size  of  the  pupil.  By  this  small  orifice,  the 
Matron  can  inspect  the  cell  without  the  conscious- 
ness of  the  inmate.  The  wards  run  out  from  a  cir- 
cular hall  in  the  centre,  like  the  sticks  of  a  fan,  the 
doors  of  the  cells  open  into  them,  and  each  cell  has' 
a  yard  at  the  back.  A  watchman  placed  at  the 
central  point  can  cast  his  eye  into  all  the  wards 
without  shifting  his  position. 

The  manners  of  the  matron  were  those  of  a  gentle- 
woman. I  was  at  first  surprised,  but  on  considera- 
tion much  pleased,  to  observe  the  respect  with  which 
she  treated  her  charge.  I  have  seen  rough  wards- 
women  and  turnkeys,  who  exhibited  by  their  man- 


292  PRISONS. 


ner  that  they  expected  nothing  good  of  the  people, 
and  the  sure  result  was  that  their  expectation  was 
fulfilled.  At  Philadelphia,  both  matron  and  lady 
visitors  expected  propriety  and  gentleness  of  man- 
ners, and  they  created  the  manner  by  looking  for  it. 
The  women  welcomed  us  to  "  their  poor  place — hoped 
we  would  excuse  a  hard  seat,  as  they  had  no  cushion 
to  offer,"  or  turned  up  a  box  to  sit  upon  "  as  they 
were  not  provided  for  so  many  kind  friends."  One 
old  woman  read  a  little  at  the  request  of  the  matron, 
to  show  our  dear  friend  that  she  had  acquired  the 
art ;  a  young  one  pointed  out  her  nice  writing  on  a 
slate  which  hung  up ;  and  a  third  seemed  a  little 
troubled  when  I  asked  if  she  had  worked  the  curious 
fringe  on  her  table  cover.  The  matron  revealed  in 
a  whisper  that  she  was  under  some  slight  privation ; 
some  food  withheld,  I  forget  what,  for  her  trespass 
in  taking  a  towel  withaut  have  tb  exercise  her  fringe- 
making  ingenuity  upon.  The  matron  encouraged 
them  as  a  mother  does  her  children,  to  try  to  do  well, 
to  recover  their  characters,  and  to  be  fit  on  going  out 
to  dwell  among  good  people.  While  our  friend  and 
theirs  gave  them  loving  gospel  invitations,  and  spoke 
so  tenderly  that  one  could  not  but  feel  this  to  be  the 
way  to  melt  the  heart  to  contrition. 

Down  stairs  we  visited  many  men's  cells.     In  one 


PBisoNS.  293 


we  found  lilliputian  knives  and  forks,  bodkins  and 
reels  for  cotton,  made  of  the  bones  of  the  beef  and 
mutton.  In  another  the  walls  and  vaulted  roof 
covered  with  mosaic  coloring.  The  man  was  a  wea- 
ver, and  had  contrived  to  extract  from  the  yarn  the 
colors  with  which  he  had  adorned  his  lonely  retreat. 
In  one  place  we  found  a  home-made  fiddle — happily 
we  did  not  hear  its  utterings.  In  another,  a  flute 
and  something  between  a  guitar  and  a  banjo.  This 
cell  was  highly  decorated  with  bright  pictures. 
Some  of  them  with  explanatory  mottoes  of  capital 
wit,  and  nothing  so  unbecoming  as  to  make  us  turn 
away.  The  inmate  was  a  young  lively  colored  man, 
whose  prospect  was  a  residence  in  that  cell  of  sever- 
al years.  He  had  half  covered  in  his  airing  yard, 
and  got  a  small  stove  erected  to  help  him  in  some 
ingenious  work.  I  asked  why  he  had  not  covered 
the  whole  yard.  He  said  he  could  see  and  feel  the 
sun  in  this  corner,  and  at  night  he  liked  to  come  out 
and  look  at  the  stars.  I  observed  my  friend  asked 
him  gently  about  the  trespass  that  had  occasioned 
his  being  there,  and  remembering  that  the  settled 
form  of  question  at  home  on  such  subjects  is  not, 
"  What  did  you  do  ?"  but  "  What  did  they  say  you 
did  ?"  I  listened  with  curiosity  for  his  reply.  He 
owned  he  had  been  engaged  in  a  robbery,  that  it  was 


294  PRISONS. 


very  wrong  ;^  and  then  hinted  at  the  circumstances 
of  distress  which  led  him  to  it.  He  was  urged  to 
read  the  Scriptures  and  some  tracts  which  were  in 
his  cell,  to  learn  all  he  could  from  the  Instructor, 
to  pray,  and  by  all  means  keep  himself  busy ;  and 
as  he  clearly  had  a  turn  for  drawing,  my  kind  friend 
promised  him  some  designs  to  copy.  His  frank  con- 
fiding look  seemed  as  though  he  could  pour  out  all 
his  mind  to  her,  and  it  required  one  to  look  around 
to  be  reminded  that,  in  spite  of  his  pleasant  counte- 
nance, he  was  shut  up  within  these  walls,  and  that 
this  was  a  convict  cell.  We  found  ingenious  imple- 
ments and  machines  in  some  of  the  yards,  which  the 
turnkeys  took  pleasure  in  showing  us.  And  in  the 
hot-house  of  the  spacious  garden,  we  found  a  smart 
gardener,  who  politely  regretted  that  he  could  only 
offer  us  poor  flowers ;  February  was  not  a  favorable 
month,  and  some  other  ladies  had  been  there  yester- 
day. He  had  turned  sickly  at  some  house  occupa- 
tion, and  been  sent  to  his  own  employment  in  the 
garden.  It  required  a  determined  belief  that  my 
informant  told  truth,  to  enable  me  to  accept  the 
conviction  that  this  polite,  amiable  man  was  a  con- 
vict. 

It  is  true  that  a  polished  exterior  may  be  but  as 
a  whited  sepulchre.     Yet  I  am  persuaded  that  a 


PRISONS.  295 


criminal  is  more  likely  to  return  from  his  evil  ways, 
when  he  is  not  driven  to  sinister  and  sullen  looks  by 
the  impression  that  no  eye  is  turned  kindly  on  him, 
and  that  every  hand  is  against  him. 

The  Tombs  in  New  York  is  more  like  a  police- 
office,  or  Bridewell  in  England,  as  no  one  remains 
there,  after  trial,  for  a  sentence  of  more  than  a  few 
days.  The  countenances  in  that  dismal  place  are 
dark  enough.  Though  even  there,  some  excited 
strong  sympathy.  One  respectable  Glerman  woman 
had  the  misfortune  to  witness  a  crime,  and  was  shut 
up  with  the  worthless  lest  she  should  be  out  of  the 
way  when  wanted  to  give  her  testimony.  She  was  a 
stranger,  and  had  none  to  give  bail  for  her.  How 
she  wept  and  beseeched,  when  spoken  to  in  her  na- 
tive tongue,  and  how  degrading  she  felt  her  present 
position !  We  found  the  white  women  generally 
shut  up  in  pairs,  but  one  cell  was  unlocked  for  us, 
rather  larger  than  the  others,  where  eight  or  ten 
blacks  were  huddled  together  in  so  small  a  space 
that  it  shocked  me  very  much.  Poor  things,  they 
were  willing  to  listen,  and  two  who  could  read  prom- 
ised to  read  aloud  to  the  rest  some  tracts  which  we 
left.  Nearly  all  the  white  women  owned  their  be- 
ing in  that  place  arose  from  drinking. 

Strange  it  is  to  go  through  another  nation  and  find 


296  PRISONS. 


resemblances  so  stroDg  in  everything  between  it  and 
one's  own.  Virtue  for  virtue — invention  for  inven- 
tion— enterprise  for  enterprise — principle  for  prin- 
ciple— daring  for  daring — crime  for  crime — 0  Eng- 
land !  0  America  !  you  are  indeed  parent  and  child. 
Would  that  your  similarities  may  draw  you  to  help, 
and  to  love,  and  to  correct  each  other. 

There  is  much  work  carried  on  in  the  prisons. 
The  hewing  and  sawing  of  marble  is  one  very  pro- 
ductive employment,  and  much  to  be  prized  for  its 
healthful  effects  in  preference  to  tailoring  and  boot  and 
shoe  making.  There,  however,  though  work  is  more 
plentiful  than  workmen,  complaints  are  made,  as  in 
Britain,  that  such  State  manufactures  have  the  ef- 
fect of  injuring  the  private  mechanic.  The  beauti- 
ful City  Hall  of  Brooklyn  is  built  of  white  marble, 
every  column  and  cornice  of  which  came  down  ready 
for  its  place  in  the  edifice  from  the  State  Prison  at 
Auburn.  While  the  masons,  who  had  a  personal  in- 
terest in  the  City  Hall,  felt  that  they  could  have 
hewn  all  the  marble  without  convict  help.  To  com- 
pare small  things  with  great,  a  poor  sempstress  in 
our  own  country  told  me  the  other  day,  that  she  had  no 
more  shirts  to  make  from  the  linen  warehouse  that 
used  to  employ  her,  for  the  people  at  the  "  Shelter" 
not  only  made  the  linen,  but,  being  expert  laun- 


PKisoNS.  297 


dresses,  sent  it  home  ready  done  up,  fit  for  the 
counter. 

It  is  difficult  to  do  good  in  one  branch  of  a 
crowded  society  without  injuring  another,  or  to  feel 
at  liberty  to  rejoice  over  the  prosperity  of  an  insti- 
tution which  opens  its  door  to  reclaim  the  wanderer, 
if  thereby  you  impoverish  and  increase  the  hard- 
ships of  the  honest  and  industrious. 

The  prison  of  New  York  State  is  a  huge  factory, 
where  enough  is  earned  annually  to  clear  its  expen- 
diture, and  something  over.  Society  is  cleansed  by 
its  means  of  the  profligate, — and  they  who  would 
form  nuisances  to  themselves  and  others  are  render- 
ed productive  to  the  State,  while  their  own  happi- 
ness is  promoted. 


It  has  been  well  inquired  whether  it  be  cheaper 
to  allow  youths  to  become  criminals,  and  then  sup- 
port them  at  public  charge,  or  to  control  the  early 
causes  of  criminality,  and  thereby  rear  up  honest 
and  useful  members  of  society.  During  the  forma- 
tion of  the  character,  the  law-court  is  an  idle  looker- 
on,  it  is  not  till  that  formed  character  exhibits  itself 
in  trespass  and  disturbance,  that  law  can  restrain  it. 
"  Follow  the  embryo  convict  a  few  years,  during 
childhood  and  youth.  Behold  the  circumstances 
that  made  him  what  he  is — circumstances  (in  one 
sense)  beyond  his  control — circumstances  which  the 
community  might,  and  ought  to  have  controlled. 
There  are  hundreds  of  children  growing  up  in  our 
state,  in  conditions,  and  surrounded  by  circumstan- 
ces that  render  it  morally  certain  they  will  become 
candidates  for  the  prison  or  the  gallows.  It  is  in 
our  power  to  change  these  circumstances.     Shall  we 


JUVENILE   DELINQUENTS.  299 

do  it  ?  Yes — it  is  in  our  power  to  change  those  cir- 
cumstances by  placing  such  children  in  a  House  of 
Refuge ;  and  every  generous  heart  and  reflecting 
mind  will  say  we  should  do  it." 

Such  were  the  sentiments  expressed  by  the  found- 
ers of  the  first  Pennsylvania  House  of  Refuge. 

There  are  several  such  houses  now  connected  with 
different  States,  partly  sustained  by  the  State,  and 
partly  by  private  contribution.  New  York  has  two, 
one  in  the  city,  and  one  at  Rochester.  Massachu- 
setts has  two — Ohio  has  one.  New  Orleans  had 
one,  authorized  by  the  State  of  Louisiana,  which  has 
been  destroyed  by  fire.  It  was  a  wooden  structure, 
and  is  expected  to  be  replaced  by  more  appropriate 
buildings. 

We  had  the  pleasure  of  accompanying  the  Ladies' 
Committee  of  the  -House  of  Refuge  at  Philadelphia, 
on  one  of  their  monthly  visits,  and  thus  saw  a  little 
of  the  internal  working  of  the  Institution.  The  out- 
set was  striking  to  one  who  has  plodded  many  a  day 
in  the  mud,  endeavoring  to  lend  a  little  help  where 
a  great  deal  is  needed.  The  carriage  of  the  House 
came  round  and  gathered  up  the  Committee,  and 
repeated  journeys  were  required  before  all  were  col- 
lected. The  absence  of  tax  on  carriage,  coachman, 
and  horses,  allows  many  to  drive  in  the  United 


800  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

States,  whose  equals  in  station  and  fortune  here 
never  attain  such  a  relief. 

Another  difiference,  of  far  more  weight  than  this 
to  the  cause  of  Christian  charity,  may  be  mentioned. 
With  us,  benevolent  females  whose  influence  is  cal- 
culated to  be  useful  to  their  own  sex,  obtain  admis- 
sion as  it  were  by  stealth,  or  at  any  rate  by  great 
favor,  to  prisons,  Bridewells,  infirmaries,  &c.  Nay, 
it  is  a  mortifying  fact,  that  some  who  desired  in 
Christian  love  to  enter,  have  been  turned  back  from 
their  gates,  not  being  able  to  obtain  orders  from  the 
proper  authorities.  In  America  the  States  invite 
the  co-operation  of  women  in  such  offices  as  become 
their  sex,  and  look  for  their  reports  as  guides  in 
their  management,  or  in  making  changes  in  the  In- 
stitutions, and  nobly  do  their  women  meet  the  wishes 
of  the  rulers,  and  fulfil  the  expectation  of  their  coun- 
try. Calm,  practical,  and  business-like,  they  are 
able  to  say  what  they  wish,  exhibiting  neither  bash- 
fulness  nor  boldness,  having  lost  sdf  in  the  interests 
of  the  institution.  I  have  heard  a  discussion  where 
there  was  much  to  be  weighed,  and  a  considerable 
difference  of  opinion.  It  was  conducted  with  lady- 
like firm  politeness.  When  put  to  the  vote,  and  the 
"  ayes  had  it,"  the  "  noes,"  without  any  appearance 
of  temper,  set  to  work  on  the  side  of  the  "  ayes,"  and 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  301 

went  on  with  the  business.  In  England  I  have  seen 
Quaker  ladies  act  with  equal  simple  decision.  Per- 
haps their  liberty  arises  from  early  training,  or  partly 
from  their  emancipation  from  some  of  our  aristo- 
cratic trammels.  But  how  often  have  I  seen  mat- 
ters which  ought  to  have  been  taken  up,  allowed  to 
pass  with  us,  merely  because  no  one  had  courage  to 
speak  out,  or  because  Mrs.  or  Miss  So-and-so  thought 
it  was  not  her  place  to  make  the  first  move,  when 
the  Hon.  Mrs.,  or  Lady  So-and-so  was  present — thus 
yielding  the  real  interests  of  the  institution  to  a 
matter  of  etiquette.  One  has  sometimes  left  such  a 
committee  with  pain,  from  the  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing flinched  from  duty  on  some  such  petty  ground, 
when  I  am  pretty  sure  my  American  sisters  would 
have  had  too  much  of  the  independent  courage  aris- 
ing out  of  the  love  of  the  useful,  to  have  left  their 
scene  of  labor  with  any  such  pain. 

It  was  not  my  lot  to  fall  in  with  any  discussion 
of  this  kind  in  the  Kefuge  at  Philadelphia.  There 
is  much  to  be  admired  in  its  well-aired,  orderly,  and 
beautifully  clean  apartments.  Its  bathing,  and  eat- 
ing, and  sleeping  places,  specially  the  latter,  are  ad- 
mirably managed.  The  long  galleries  which  form 
the  dormitories  are  partitioned  with  brick,  each  bed- 
room having  its  own  door  and  lock,  and  little  win- 


802  JUVENILE   DELINQUENTS  AND 


dow  of  glass.  The  girls  acquire  habits  of  neatness 
by  the  encouragement  given  them  to  decorate  these 
little  chambers.  Daily,  after  making  the  bed,  they 
arrange  whatever  they  have  of  pictures,  pretty  bags, 
China  figures,  peacock's  feathers — in  short,  they  are 
not  particular, — anything  that  gives  the  air  of  pains, 
design,  and  good  order,  is  set  forth,  or  hung  up. 
Happy  is  the  girl  whose  lady-teacher,  as  a  mark  of 
approbation,  gives  her  a  gay  print,  or  a  bit  of  bright 
carpet.  One  would  think,  after  examining  fifty  such 
little  dormitories,  that  no  child  is  bom  in  the  coun- 
try without  a  taste  for  the  beautiful,  and  that  no 
one  is  so  desolate  as  not  to  take  pleasure  in  indulg- 
ing it. 

In  some  of  these  Institutions,  one  of  the  employ- 
ments, which  is  in  itself  as  dull  as  picking  wool  or 
teazing  oakum,  has  arisen  out  of  American  ingenuity 
and  thrift,  and  was  quite  new  to  me.  It  is  the 
making  of  rag  carpets.  They  cut  cloths  of  all  tex- 
tures and  colors  into  long  stripes,  tack  them  together 
so  that  they  will  follow  the  shuttle,  and  wind  them 
into  large  balls.  In  this  stage  they  are  sent  to  the 
weaver,  who  uses  them  as  the  woof  which  crosses  a 
wide  warp  of  hempen  cords,  and  he  sends  home  gay, 
comfortable,  rough-looking  carpets,  with  which  the 
rooms  and  the  staircases  of  some  institutions  are 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  303 

covered.  Such  thrifty  and  long-lasting  carpets  are 
found  in  the  houses  of  tradespeople,  of  all  complex- 
ions, in  town  and  country.  They  are  also  used  often 
in  the  basement  or  kitchens  of  the  opulent. 

In  the  Refuge,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the 
young  people  promoted  to  higher  classes  according 
to  their  attainments,  and  after  examination  of  the 
reports  of  the  Matron  and  teachers  as  to  their  obe- 
dience, industry,  and  orderliness.  They  were  neatly 
dressed,  but  not  in  uniform,  the  school  aprons  alone 
being  all  alike.  When  we  learnt  that  many  had  been 
plucked  from  dens  of  dirt  and  wretchedness,  and  that 
some  had  been  placed  there  by  parents  who  could 
not  manage  them,  it  was  very  pleasant  to  consider 
the  better  path  which  the  Christian  discipline  of 
this  house  opens  for  them.  We  heard  them  sing 
several  hymns  in  a  modest,  agreeable  manner,  and 
saw  by  the  glances  interchanged  between  some  of 
them  and  the  ladies,  that  friendly  relations  are  es- 
tablished and  affections  drawn  out  which  cannot  fail 
to  produce  a  refining  influence  on  their  tempers  and 
manners. 

New  York  also  has  had  for  twenty-six  years  its 
Society  for  the  Reformation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents, 
in  the  establishment  and  conduct  of  which,  both  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  and  Corporation  of  the  City, 


304  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

take  an  interest.     It  has  also. a  ladies  Committee, 

which  reports  annually  to  the  Legislature,  as  does 

the  gentlemen's.     Very  many  of  its  inmates  have 

never  been  criminals,  but  are  placed  there  as  refrac- 

• 
tory,  or  as  having  fallen  into  bad  company,  by  parents 

who  cannot  control  them.     The  number  received  in 

the  house  last  year  was  380,  and  disposed  of  in  that 

period,  371.     The  list  of  their  indentures  comprises 

nearly  every  imaginable  trade ;  and  it  is  remarkable 

that  among  so  many,  most  of  them  of  previous  evil 

habits,  there  is  not  one  death  to  record  in  1850. 

The  managers  are  not  content  with  merely  train- 
ing and  educating  the  children  while  under  their  care, 
but  keep  up  a  knowledge  of  their  circumstances  even 
for  years  after  they  have  passed  into  other  positions, 
and  long  after  the  expiry  of  their  term  of  indenture. 
Many  of  the  letters  from  their  employers,  published 
in  the  reports,  are  of  a  character  to  cheer  the  man- 
agers in  their  labor,  which  is  arduous.  A  specimen, 
almost  the  first  that  opens,  is  given.  All  the  Re- 
ports of  similar  Societies  contain  a  similar  compart- 
ment : — 

"  John  M'a  was  received,  April  18,  1840.     He 

was  sent  to  the  Institution  by County  Sessions 

for  theft.  He  had  been  running  with  idle,  pilfering 
boys,  refusing  the  admonitions  of  his  friends  for 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  305 

more  than  a  year,  and  had  acquired  many  bad  habits. 
He  was  indentured,  April  13,  1847,  to  a  farmer,  and 
we  have  received  the  following  account  of  him  : — 

October  25,  1850. 
Respected  Friend, 

John  M'G.  still  continues  with  me  ;  he  is  healthy 
and  seems  contented.  When  I  first  took  him,  he 
was  very  troublesome,  but  is  now  doing  well.  He 
attends  Church  and  Sabbath  School,  also  District 
School  during  the  winter,  and  makes  good  progress. 
He  appears  anxious  to  make  something  of  himself, 
and  I  am  trying  to  do  all  I  can  to  encourage  him. 
He  is  a  smart  boy,  trusty  and  honest,  so  far  as  I 
know.  I  shall  continue  to  do  well  by  him,  hoping 
he  will  make  a  useful  man. 

Respectfully  yours,  B.  W." 

Here  is  a  boy  who  for  ten  years  has  been  the  child 
of  the  State,  and  now  is  "  anxious  to  make  something 
of  himself. ^^  Is  the  State  put  to  more  expense  and 
trouble  by  sustaining  this  Institution,  than  it  would 
be  by  keeping  up  a  Bridewell,  where  the  boy  might 
have  been  committed  for  sixty  days,  and  dismissed  a 
more  confirmed  rogue  than  he  entered?  While  in 
the  Refuge,  he  doubtless  did  something  towards  his 
20 


306  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

bwn  maintenance  besides  acquiring  habits  of  indus- 
try and  good  order.  At  present,  for  want  of  room, 
they  are  obliged  to  pass  the  children  much  more 
quickly  through  the  New  York  Institution  than  for- 
merly ;  but  to  avoid  that  evil  they  are  about  to  en- 
large their  accommodation,  and  hope  soon  to  be  lo- 
cated in  a  new  position  on  the  southern  end  of  Ward's 
Island. 

A  circular  letter  of  inquiry  is  sent  annually  to 
each  person  who  has  indentured  a  child  from  the 
Refuge.  We  give  one  reply  in  reference  to  a  girl, 
to  show  that  the  females  share  equally  with  the 
males  the  care  of  the  Institution. 

September  8,  1860. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  received  your  communication  relative  to  Jane 
M.,  and  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  she  still  re- 
mains with  me.  She  is  industrious  and  much  im- 
proved in  her  education.  My  family  have  the  ut- 
most confidence  in  her,  she  advises  with  them  on  all 
subjects,  and  seems  very  ambitious  to  do  well.  She 
has  given  us  entire  satisfaction.  Her  time  will  soon 
expire,  and  I  can  say  that  she  is  a  respectable 
young  woman.  Her  future  prospects  are  flattering. 
Yours,  &c.,  E.  B. 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  307 

Answers  to  the  inquiring  circulars,  though  very 
satisfactory,  are  not  so  interesting  as  proofs  of  es- 
tablished character,  as  are  the  visits  of  former  in- 
mates, men  and  women,  who  are  now  free  of  inden- 
ture, and  on  their  own  responsibilities  in  life.  In 
the  superintendent's  journal  we  find  mixed  up  with 
other  events  as  quite  common,  such  notices  as  this : 
"  April  22,  Margaret  F.,  who  was  indentured  to  Mr. 

T,  v.,  of  the  town  of visited  us  to-day.    She 

has  served  her  time,  as  Mr.  Y.  informs  us,  with 
credit  to  herself,  giving  him  entire  satisfaction.  She 
will  stay  a  day  or  two  with  us,  and  then  go  to 
Newark,  with  a  friend  of  Mr.  V.,  on  good  wages. 
She  is  one  of  the  many  saved  by  being  sent  to  the 
Refuge. 

"  John  L.  also  visited  us,  after  having  been  absent 
three  years  ;  a  fine-looking  young  man — ^he  says  he 
is  doing  well." 

It  is  a  beautiful  feature  in  the  character  of  these 
people,  that  they  are  not  ashamed  to  own  the  nurse 
which  plucked  them  from  degradation,  and  placed 
them  on  the  road  to  respectability.  Their  visits  of 
gratitude,  some  of  which  I  have  witnessed,  are  very 
delightful,  and  cannot  fail  to  encourage  the  laborers 
in  their  difficult  way.  In  most  of  these  Refuges, 
there  is  a  colored   department  for   both  girls  and 


308  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

boys — and  their  schools  as  well  as  meals  and  play- 
grounds are  separate.  I  have  not  been  able  to  dis- 
cern any  complexional  distinction  in  the  replies  to 
their  circulars  of  inquiry,  or  in  any  journal  account 
of  visits,  and  am  therefore  inclined  to  hope  that  the 
cases  of  colored  and  white  are  indiscriminately 
stated. 

The  Female  Gruardian  Society  or  "Home  for 
the  Friendless,"  though  not  coming  under  the  head 
of  a  Delinquent's  Refuge,  yet  in  some  respects  par- 
takes of  the  same  character.  Many  of  its  inmates 
find  shelter  there,  from  the  misery  of  bad  homes  and 
wicked  parents ;  and  many  seek  it  in  consequence 
of  other  misfortunes  that  flesh  is  heir  to. 

The  arrangement  of  its  house  is  excellent.  The 
adults  find  a  respectable  place  and  honest  employ- 
ment till  they  are  provided  for  elsewhere — and  a 
large  number  of  nurslings,  who  would  otherwise  be 
exposed  to  every  misery  are  educated  when  well, 
and  tended  when  sick  with  maternal  care.  There 
is  a  house  of  reception  at  the  back  of  the  ground,  to 
be  used  in  case  of  infectious  disease.  Last  year 
three  hundred  and  thirty-three  adults  were  received 
and  two  hundred  and  ninety-eight  dismissed  to  situ- 
ations. Of  children,  two  hundred  and  thirty-six 
were  received,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-four  pro- 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  309 

vided  with  situations.  The  discipline  of  the  house 
is  excellent,  and  the  kindness  of  the  managers,  shi- 
ning in  their  careful  affectionate  countenances, 
seems  to  an  imaginative  mind  like  that  Arabian 
well  called  the  '•  diamond  of  the  desert,"  bright,  re- 
freshing, life  and  love  restoring  to  young  hearts 
crushed  by  destitution,  harshness,  and  immorality. 
They  sometimes  find  places  for  young  widows  and 
forsaken  wives,  even  when  they  carry  a  babe  with 
them.  This  being  an  arrangement  unknown  with 
us,  I  introduce  a  letter  which  refers  to  a  young 
woman,  who  works  for  small  wages  on  condition 
that  she  may  retain  her  infant  for  a  considerable 
time. 

"  *  *  *  *  E.  says  I  may  tell  the  ladies  that  she 
does  not  think  she  could  have  had  a  better  home — 
that  she  is  contented  and  happy,  and  does  not  wish 
to  return  to  the  city.  So  far  as  I  have  seen,  she  is 
a  truly  worthy  person.  She  will  be  well  provided 
for  here.  She  is  decidedly  the  best  help  I  ever 
had,  and  altogether  better  than  I  had  any  idea  she 
would  be.  But  I  had  committed  my  way  unto  the 
Lord,  believing  that  he  who  numbers  the  hairs  of 
our  head  would,  if  applied  to,  condescend  to  notice 
our  domestic  concerns,  and  I  have  not  been  disap- 
pointed. 


810  JEVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

"  Mr.  W.  thinks  everything  of  the  little  one.  I  do 
not  know  as  he  will  ever  be  willing  that  he  should 
leave  us. 

"  Yours  in  Christian  love, 

"  F.  M.  W." 

Symptoms  here  of  adoption !  Good-natured, 
cheerful,  and  affectionate,  the  American  farmer  is 
not  the  man  to  trust  with  such  a  light  in  his  dwell- 
ing as  a  pleasant  child,  if  you  do  not  wish  it  to  be 
retained  there. 

The  "  Home  for  the  Friendless"  has  quickly  taken 
a  much  higher  position  in  the  estimation  of  the  pub- 
lic as  a  place  for  providing  servants  than  any  of  the 
intelligence  offices.  It  is  continually  resorted  to, 
both  by  citizens  and  country  people,  and  makes  ar- 
rangements which  turn  out  useful  and  comfortable 
to  both  parties.  Friends  in  the  remote  part  of  the 
State  of  New  York  send  contributions  of  work, 
which  are  sold  in  a  room  called  the  Store  of  the 
Home.  Much  that  is  the  fruit  of  taste,  ingenuity, 
and  notableness  is  to  be  procured  there — specially 
the  pretty  patched  quilts,  lightly  lined  with  cotton, 
and  neatly  quilted,  which  make  a  cover  as  light,  and 
at  the  same  time  as  warm  as.  any  eiderdown  you 
may  sleep  under  in  G-ermany.     Under  the  power 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  811 

of  machinery,  making  Marseilles  quilts  and  njgs  of 
all  colors,  patterns,  and  dimensions  so  quickly,  and 
at  such  moderate  rates,  we  in  Britain  are  losing  the 
notable  habits  of  our  grandmothers.  It  would  re- 
quire some  practice  before  we  could  produce  such 
nice  quilts  as  are  to  be  seen  in  all  the  American 
institutions. 

The  Female  G-uardian  Society  has  added  to  its 
other  efforts  at  usefulness  a  semi-monthly  paper, 
called  the  "Female  Advocate."  Together  with 
moral  instruction  conveyed  in  tales  and  poetry, 
which  are  tasteful  as  well  as  religious,  it  records  in- 
stances of  the  escapes  from  danger  and  temptation 
of  some  friendless  females,  and  introduces  salutary 
warnings  and  cautions  as  to  hidden  snares.  It  no- 
tices books  in  unison  with  its  peculiar  subjects,  and 
gives  pertinent  hints  on  education,  training  of  ser- 
vants, and  house-keeping  in  general.  The  paper  is 
well  conducted,  and  by  its  wide  circulation  extends 
an  interest  in  the  success  of  the  plans  of  the  Home 
for  the  Friendless  many  hundred  miles  beyond  the 
City. 

There  is  a  common  sense  about  American  chari- 
ties, which  sometimes  brought  the  towered  halls  and 
pinnacles  of  "  mine  own  romantic  town"  to  mind  in 
rather  vexatious  contrast.     With  us,  a  rich  man — 


812  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

who  may  have  been  niggard  of  kindness  to  his  poor 
relatives,  or  secretly  chuckled  at  their  procuring 
private  aid  from  the  society  for  helping  decayed  gen- 
tlewomen— is  about  to  make  his  will.  He  cannot 
carry  money  to  the  world  he  is  approaching.  He 
transfers  his  covetousness  to  a  new  object,  and  now 
becomes  desirous  of  posthumous  fame.  He  be- 
queaths his  hoard  for  the  building  of  an  Hospital  to 
bear  his  name  to  posterity,  and  prefer  in  its  charita- 
ble entertainment  candidates  who  are  his  namesakes. 
His  trustees  come  into  guardianship  of  the  hoard. 
Do  they  hasten  to  fulfil  the  last  will  and  testament, 
so  that  the  poor  may  have  bread  and  the  orphan 
education  ?  No  such  thing.  Those  who  come  un- 
der the  description  of  the  will  are  in  no  pressing 
need.  So  the  trustees  set  their  thoughts  on  enrich- 
ing with  another  splendid  building  their  native  city, 
already  rich  in  architectural  ornaments.  They  put 
tjie  fund  out  to  nurse  for  ten  or  twenty  years,  till 
they  can  make  something  handsome,  something  in 
keeping  with  this  edifice,  or  that  will  form  a  grand 
point  of  view  in  reference  to  that.  After  a  genera- 
tion has  passed,  it  rises  a  noble  building,  with  no  par- 
ticularly noble  name ;  and  by  and  bye  it  is  occu- 
pied ;  but  often  with  children  who  would  have  learned 
more  of  domestic  affection  and  family  virtue,  and 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  813 

thus  have  made  better  heads  of  families  in  their 
turn,  had  they  remained  at  their  father's  hearth, 
where  they  might,  out  of  his  honest  earnings,  have 
been  educated  in  the  parish  school,  and  grown  stout 
and  hearty  on  his  homely  fare. 

In  America  the  order  of  progress  is  reversed,  a 
pressing  want  is  felt — a  man  or  woman  with  energy 
and  a  Christian  heart  to  guide  it,  falls  in  with  two 
or  three  orphans.  What  is  to  be  done  with  them  ? 
Some  compassionate  friends  are  consulted.  They 
join  purses,  hire  a  room,  and  engage  a  nurse.  Pres- 
ently another  and  another  claimant  on  their  human- 
ity appears.  They  must  hire  a  larger  house.  They 
must  interest  a  wider  circle,  and  by  that  means  find 
access  to  their  purses.  Before  another  year  passes 
over  them,  you  shall  find  them  under  legislative  pro- 
tection, making  their  laws,  receiving  legacies,  pur- 
chasing lots,  and  at  last  erecting  a  handsome  and 
substantial  edifice.  By  the  time  the  building  is 
finished,  the  inmates  rejoice  to  enter  on  its  more 
roomy  and  airy  premises. 

I  believe  I  am  correct  in  giving  this  as  the  history 
of  the  Orphan,  the  Half  Orphan,  and  the  Colored 
Orphan  Asylums,  the  Home  for  the  Friendless,  and 
the  Colored  Home.  It  is  not  first  a  gorgeous  pal- 
ace, and  then  the  inmates.     It  is  first  the  cry  of  the 


814  JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS  AND 

widow  and  fatherless,  then  the  heart  stirred  with 
compassion,  and  after  that  the  house  of  shelter. 

Edinburgh  has  many  institutions,  the  result  of 
spontaneous  benevolence.  But  it  is  a  contradictory 
state  of  things,  that  while  we  have  magnificent  asy- 
lums which  are  not  much  required,  the  really  impor- 
tant places,  such  as  the  Refuge,  the  Night  Refuge, 
the  Maternity  Hospital,  the  Shelter,  the  Delinquent's 
Refuges,  and  the  Ragged  Schools,  can  barely  find 
funds  to  sustain  them.  One  circumstance  which  de- 
presses our  charities  is,  that  in  our  thronged  popula- 
tion— once  a  claimant  for  external  help — the  aided 
becomes  always  a  burden.  There  is  no  room  to 
plant  him,  no  hope  of  being  rid  of  him.  In  Ameri- 
ca thousands  get  a  lift  when  under  casual  pressure, 
and  pass  on.  Newly-landed  and  newly-born  emi- 
grants are  aided  in  their  extremity,  but  soon  find 
place  and  means  of  support,  and  are  heard  of  no 
more.  In  a  year  or  two  they  are  thriving  "  down 
East,"  or  "  out  West,"  adding  to  the  resources  of 
the  country  instead  of  burdening  them. 

In  examining  the  report  with  which,  without 
waiting  for  solicitation  on  my  part,  I  was  in  every 
place  bountifully  furnished,  I  find  evidence  that 
necessity  is  invariably  first  proved,  and  then  it  oper- 
ates as  the  main-spring  of  action.     Thus  the   ap- 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  815 

plications  for  a  night's  shelter,  made  at  the  Rosine 
House,  Philadelphia,  by  women  who  had  not  the 
melancholy  claim  of  its  poor  wanderer-inmates,  led 
to  the  formation  of  the  "  Temporary  Home  As- 
sociation," for  the  benefit  of  friendless  women  and 
children,  somewhat  on  the  plan  of  our  House  of 
Industry,  or  our  Servant's  and  Sailor's  Homes. 
Houses  which  not  only  alleviate  present  necessities, 
but  act  as  preventatives  against  surrounding  dangers. 
Were  it  not  for  fear  of  prolixity,  it  would  be  an 
enjoyment  to  myself  to  describe  minutely  what  is 
to  be  seen  in  many  of  these  charitable  retreats  from 
the  world's  hardships.  I  might  mention  the  con- 
tented expression  of  countenance  of  many  a  dusky 
woman  approaching  to  her  eightieth  year,  and  her 
expressions,  not  of  complaint  in  the  midst  of  infir- 
mities, but  of  gratitude  that  God  had  afibrded  her 
a  comfortable  bed  and  room,  with  only  other  three 
in  it,  to  wait  so  quietly  in  till  He  calls  her  home. 
I  might  describe  the  sick-ward  in  the  Colored 
Home,  and  the  tender  pity  of  the  ladies,  flitting 
from  couch  to  couch,  reading  with  one,  giving  a 
tract  to  another,  and  speaking  kindly  to  a  third.  I 
might  tell  of  my  deep  interest  in  the  colored  or- 
phans in  another  house.  Their  lively  recital  of  les- 
sons,  their  almost  lightning-look,  questioning  of 


316  JUVENILE   DELINQUENTS  AND 

each  other  in  turn.  Their  skill  in  the  geography 
of  the  United  States — their  sweet  and  cheerful 
songs,  so  well  adapted  to  the  country  and  to  them- 
selves. I  might  tell  of  little  ones  there,  under 
strong  spiritual  influence,  taking  charge  of  putting 
some  younger  than  themselves  to  bed,  and  being 
overheard,  evening  after  evening,  exhorting,  implor- 
ing, and  praying  with  them.  I  might  mention  their 
essays  laid  in  the  committee-room  for  inspection, 
quite  equal  to  any  productions  of  white  children, 
whose  ages  and  opportunities  are  equal. 

We  might  go  to  Philadelphia  and  spend  hours 
with  the  indigent  widows  and  single  women,  in 
their  airy  house — ^learn  their  histories  from  them- 
selves, and  admire  the  plants  they  cherish,  the  wool 
they  knit,  the  silken  patch-work  they  make,  and  the 
tranquillity  they  enjoy.  Or,  with  the  ladies  of  the 
Nurse  Society,  we  might  inquire  into  the  events  in 
the  district  of  each  during  the  month,  and  learn 
how  many  lives  have  been  saved  by  proper  supplies 
of  necessaries  and  kind  attentions  in  the  hours  of 
nature's  sorrow  ;  or  admire  the  economy  of  a  char- 
ity that  can  succor  so  many  at  so  cheap  a  rate. 
"  Many  poor  emigrants  with  families  of  little  chil- 
dren, have  touched  our  country  just  in  time  to  make 
a  native  of  their  youngest  born,  without  the  means 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  317 


of  providing  for  themselves  or  little  ones,  and 
Providence  who  clothes  the  lilies  of  the  field,  has 
mercifully  afforded  relief  through  the  patrons  of 
the  Moyamensing  district  of  the  Nurse  Society."* 

A  pile  of  reports,  a  foot  deep,  interest,  without 
tiring  one  who  has  the  buildings,  the  ladies,  and  the 
objects  of  their  charity,  placed  by  them,  afresh  be- 
fore her  eyes,  but  they  cannot  interest  others  in  the 
same  way. 

It  is  enough  to  say  that  the  footsteps  of  Mrs. 
Graham — whose  name  is  familiar  and  honored  in 
Scotland — and  of  her  friend  Mrs.  Hoffman,  have 
been  followed  steadily  by  her  successors.  The 
judgment,  the  economy,  the  heathful  regulations,  and 
the  Christian  influences,  which  she  was  so  happy  as 
to  introduce  into  the  Orphan  Asylum,  her  Widow's 
Society,  and  her  Sabbath-schools,  forty-five  years 
since,  are  still  the  pattern  of  her  State  and  city. 
Happy  she  to  have  fallen  on  a  time  which  opened 
the  way  for  the  exercise  of  all  her  Christian  piety 
and  skill.  Happy  time,  in  its  necessities,  that  had 
an  Isabella  Graham  for  a  guide  in  the  outset  of 
philanthropic  effort. 

It  is  now  more  than  thirty  years  since  Dr.  Mason 
saw,  for  the  first  time,  an  English  edition  of  that 
*  Eleventh  Report  of  the  Nurse  Society  of  Philadelphia. 


818  JUVENILE   DELINQUENTS  AND 

good  woman's  life  on  our  table.  He  was  glad  to 
see  it,  and  told  us  of  her  family ;  so  that  to  meet 
her  now  venerable  daughter,  Mrs.  Bethune,  still  at 
the  end  of  forty-five  years,  acting  as  first  Directress 
of  that  same  Orphan  Asylum  which  her  mother 
founded,  was  like  finding  a  link  which  bound  the 
past  and  the  departed  to  the  present  and  the  useful. 

How  few  live  to  see  a  good  work  advance  in  its 
useful  cause,  without  once  being  turned  aside  for 
nearly  half  a  century.  How  pleasant  was  it  to  stand 
in  the  noble  mansion  at  Bloomingdale,  the  monument 
of  the  States'  benevolence,  and  hear  of  the  small  be- 
ginning of  the  asylum,  and  look  on  the  portraits  of 
benefactors  now  in  heaven.  How  pleasant  to  hear 
large  and  accurately  taught  bands  of  orphans  exam- 
ined, to  look  on  their  thriving  countenances,  to  listen 
to  their  sweet  voices  as  they  sung ;  and  to  learn, 
when  admiring  the  ingenious  liveliness  of  many  of 
the  infant  school  exercises,  that  the  dear  old  lady  by 
our  side  was  the  living,  sprightly  inventor  of  all  that 
wit,  fun,  and  instruction,  and  also  of  many  of  the 
more  sacred  lessons.  How  quickening  to  the  heart's 
throb  to  see  a  crowd  of  babes  flock  around  her 
knees,  each  wishing  to  be  noticed  and  caressed. 

On  the  exhibition  day,  when  they  were  brought 
into  the  city  that  the  public  might  see  all  the  ohil- 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES.  319 

dren,  consisting  of  babes  of  two  years  old  to  boys 
and  girls  of  fifteen,  we  stayed  to  congratulate  the  dear 
First  Directress  on  the  appearance  made  by  her  bloom- 
ing family.  But  it  was  not  easy  to  approach  her — 
she  was  encircled  by  a  band  of  good-looking  young 
men,  well  dressed,  and  of  pleasing  expression. 
"  Who  are  all  these,  dear  lady,  who  surround  you  so 
that  one  cannot  reach  your  hand  ?"  "  Oh,  these  are 
a  few  of  my  own  boys,  who  expect  to  see  me  here 
once  a  year.  I  am  glad  to  see  their  faces,  and  to 
know  that  they  are  prospering."  "  I  should  think 
that  they  had  grown  out  of  your  knowledge."  "  No 
— no — I  know  all  that  keep  up  the  acquaintance. 
Here  is  one — a  troublesome  little  fellow  he  was. 
He  always  thought  when  I  went  to  mind  my  busi- 
ness that  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  nurse  him.  I 
used  to  push  him  away.  *  He  was  two  years  old." 
"  And  so  you  did  nurse  me,"  said  the  grateful  man, 
"  but  I  was  younger  than  that,  I  was  not  a  year  and 
a  half  when  you  took  me  up." 

It  was  a  sight  to  make  the  heart  sing ;  and  one's 
sympathies  flowed  out  with  theirs,  when  the  respect- 
ed son  of  the  venerated  lady*  made  his  way  to  her 
and  embraced  her,  and  their  eyes  were  moistened  as 
they  looked  on  each  other. 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bethune  of  Brooklyn. 


It  is  a  curious  and  rather  painful  sight,  to  watch 
the  emptying  of  a  newly-arrived  cargo  of  Emigrants 
on  the  unknown  shore.  Squalid,  thinly  clad,  and  far 
from  clean,  you  instantly  distinguish  the  bony  Irish- 
man, with  his  wife,  and  all  the  children,  dragging  an 
ill-packed  bundle  tied  with  a  bit  of  rope,  which  is 
made  long  enough  by  the  help  of  a  stripe  of  tick- 
ing, or  a  list  border.  They  slide  their  bundle — their 
all  of  worldly  wealth — down  a  plank,  and  having 
drawn  it  aside  on  the  dock,  they  hang  helplessly 
around  it,  the  children  tumbling  on  it,  till  the  ship 
has  disgorged  her  motley  company,  and  all  are  ready 
to  appear  at  the  Emigrant  Office.  Next  you  will 
see  a  pair  of  stout,  thickly-clothed  Germans,  letting 
down  their  heavy  chest  well  nailed  and  corded,  with 
a  parcel  of  bedding  on  the  top.  And  again,  a  rosy, 
round-cheeked  Englishman,  with  his  deal  box,  paint- 
ed red.  Each  pours  forth  with  a  load  to  carry  or 
care  for,  like  the  busy  population  on  an  ant-hill^ 


THE  ISLANDS.  321 


and  group  after  group  sit  on  or  watch  by  their 
slender  store.  What  will  become  of  them  all  ?  Are 
any  of  them  sick  ?  Will  they  all  find  employment  ? 
Why  they  will  cumber  the  country.  It  will  lose  its 
American  identity.  How  can  that  be  preserved 
with  such  a  mixed  multitude  flowing  into  it  ?  Spare 
your  solicitude,  good  stranger.  Do  you  observe  the 
thick,  whitened  waters  of  the  Father  of  Rivers  as 
they  mingle  with  the  sea  ?  They  discolor  it  for  a 
little  space — presently  it  becomes  but  a  slight  tinge, 
and  long  before  the  waves  that  meet  the  Mississippi 
have  flowed  back  to  the  Reefs  of  Florida,  the  mud 
is  deposited  in  the  bottom  of  the  Gulf,  and  the 
waters  of  the  river  are  amalgamated  with  the  waters 
of  the  Ocean. 

Nothing  convinces  one  more  of  the  force  and  mass 
of  the  American  character,  than  to  see  that  the  im- 
mense influx  of  foreigners  has  no  power  to  modify 
it.  The  new-comers  become  modified  speedily,  chiefly 
through  the  political  institutions.  Many  a  mind, 
indolent  before,  perceives  that  it  has  something  to 
do  and  something  to  obtain  here,  and  so  is  roused  to 
untried  activity.  Many,  alas  !  have  been  roused  to 
indignation  by  the  treachery  of  selfish  wretches  who 
have  boarded  their  vessel,  promised  all  kinds  of  as- 
sistance, and  sold  to  them  so-called  railway  tickets 
21 


322  THE  ISLANDS. 


to  Buffalo  ;  and  when  at  Albany  the  poor  ignorant 
strangers  have  presented  them,  they  have  found  that 
they  were  tickets  for  canal-boats  on  which  they  must 
linger  for  very  many  days,  providing  food  out  of 
their  slender  funds  !  Such  base  dealings  not  only 
rouse  indignation,  but  teach  the  half-passive  that 
they  must  be  active,  or  they  cannot  get  along  amidst 
a  set  of  sharpers.  I  am  happy  to  know  that  such 
baseness  to  the  stranger  and  the  poor  is  now  put  a 
stop  to,  and  that  the  instructions  obtained  at  the 
Emigrant  Offices — I  believe  there  are  two — act  both 
as  guide  and  protector  to  these  unfortunates.  Hard- 
ship they  must  and  do  encounter  ;  they  are  accus- 
tomed to  that,  but  their  hopes  were  high,  that  free- 
dom and  justice  were  bound  together  on  the  shores 
of  the  new  world.  To  be  met  on  their  very  first 
business  transaction  by  an  act  of  roguery,  is  con- 
founding and  discouraging  in  a  high  degree — the 
more  so  that,  in  general,  it  has  been  fellow-country- 
men, feigning  sympathy  and  acts  of  kindness,  who 
have  dealt  the  blow. 

Of  the  multitude  who  come  annually  from  Europe 
to  try  a  new  home,  many  bring  education  and  prop- 
erty enough  to  have  a  plan  and  follow  it  in  their  fu- 
ture settlement.  But  many  suffer  from  as  great 
poverty  of  knowledge  as  of  property,  while  some  are 


THE  ISLANDS.  323 


also  poor  in  health.  The  East  River  is  beautifully 
speckled  over  with  Islands  which  the  wisdom  of  the 
Legislature  has  chosen  as  the  receptacles  of  various 
sets  of  people  requiring  guardianship  and  superin- 
tendence ;  while  its  taste  has  caused  buildings  to  be 
raised  for  all  their  purposes,  which  adorn  the  scene 
— already  a  very  gem  of  beauties. 

On  Ward's  Island  is  the  great  dep6t  where 
healthy  Emigrants  are  sent  to  wait  till  they  can  be 
disposed  of  at  work  in  the  interior  of  the  country. 
Here  they  rest,  with  light  employment  and  under 
good  regulations,  till  they  recover  from  the  effects 
of  voyages  made  in  crowded  ships. 

The  Captain  of  the  Emigrant  ship  is  bound  to 
produce  twelve  shillings  currency,  that  is  six  shil- 
lings sterling,  for  each  emigrant  that  he  carries. 
This  levy  supports  satisfactorily  the  immense  estab- 
lishment. There  the  Grerman  finds  everything  ex- 
cellent, with  the  exception  of  the  absence  of  his  beer 
— and  the  astonished  Irishman  eats  the  first  roast 
beef  he  ever  tasted.  They  have  a  story  of  a  Ward's 
man  inquiring  of  an  Irishman  why,  when  he  wrote 
to  his  brother  pressing  him  to  come  out,  he  had 
told  him  that  they  had  butcher's  meat  twice  a  week, 
when  he  knew  they  had  it  every  day  in  life  ? 
''  Why,"  said  Pat,  "  I  need  not  ha'  been  telling  him 


824  THE  ISLANDS. 


that,  for  he  would  never  ha'  belaved  it."  They  do 
not  generally  require  to  stay  long  on  the  Island. 

On  Blackwell's  Island,  we  find  the  prison  of 
the  city  of  New  York.  The  people  here  seem  not 
under  such  close  discipline  as  in  the  State  Prison. 
But  we  saw  bands  of  men  gardening,  terrace-making, 
levelling,  and  forcing  land  on  their  naturally  sandy 
soil.  They  have  made  a  very  handsome  facade  of 
terraces,  which  one  admires  in  sailing  up  the  river. 
But  their  Island  will  presently  be  adorned  to  the 
last  point,  and  their  ingenuity  will  then  be  tasked  to 
find  other  occupation. 

The  City  Poor-House  is  also  there.  We  saw 
about  400  women,  and  a  nursery  of  babes,  on  the 
female  side.  Every  place  of  this  description  is  clean 
and  airy.  The  absence  of  coal-smoke,  the  annual 
painting,  the  windows,  doors,  and  piazzas  all  so  well 
contrived  for  ventilation,  give  an  air  and  a  feeling 
of  cheerfulness,  which  I  have  not  found  in  similar 
establishments  in  England.  We  found  women  read- 
ing, sewing,  knitting,  and  tending  the  sick,  besides 
the  stout  band  employed  as  laundresses,  cooks,  &c. 

The  Insane  Asylum  is  also  placed  on  Blackwell's 
Island.  It  is  a  very  fine  building,  with  a  remarka- 
bly beautiful  iron  staircase,  which  combines  beauty 
and  strength  in  a  high  degree.     The  hand-rail  is  of 


THE  ISLANDS.  825 


dark  oak  ;  the  stair  is  spiral,  shedding  gracefully  off 
into  a  gallery  at  each  landing-place.  There  is  a  fine 
library,  in  which  we  found  a  solitary  German,  whose 
delight  is  to  work  daily  amongst  the  books,  and 
whose  humor  is,  as  we  found,  not  to  answer  any 
questions.  We  visited  several  wards  under  the  guid- 
ance of  one  of  the  medical  attendants,  and  left  the 
place  with  the  usual  feeling  of  depression  which  the 
sight  of  remediless  misery  is  calculated  to  excite. 

We  were  rowed  ashore,  as  we  had  been  to  the 
Island,  by  a  set  of  stout  oarsmen,  whose  skill,  and 
knowledge  of  the  strong  current  running  up  with  the 
tide,  were  much  needed  to  secure  our  safety.  Yet 
not  a  cent  was  asked  or  expected  by  the  men.  We 
found  this  the  case  on  visiting  the  other  Islands,  and 
indeed  everywhere  in  the  country.  Yet  the  dollar 
is  as  mighty  there  as  the  sovereign  is  in  England. 
I  presume  the  explanation  to  be  this :  all  govern- 
ment institutions  belong  to  the  community,  they 
have  a  share  and  interest  in  them,  and  consequently 
means  are  taken  to  admit  the  people  to  examine 
them  without  charge. 

At  Washington  we  happened  to  be  divided  from 
our  gentleman  escort.  In  the  Capitol  we  asked  a 
watchman  to  admit  us  to  the  dome.  He  guided  us 
up  the  many  flights  of  steps,  and  through  many  gal- 


826  THE   ISLANDS. 


leries,  and  on  the  roof  pointed  out  the  counties  and 
States,  the  rivers  and  cities,  and  the  nearer  public 
buildings  and  statues,  and  took  much  pains  lest  we 
should  find  any  difficulty  in  the  descent.  I  had 
been  cogitating  as  we  descended,  whether  half  a  dol- 
lar, or  a  whole  one,  were  the  right  reward  to  present 
to  so  polite  and  pains-taking  a  guide  ;  when  lo  !  on 
looking  round  at  the  bottom,  he  had  glided  away, 
and  I  saw  him  retreating  across  the  rotunda.  They 
have  not  here  any  fat  and  lazy  hangers-on  of  Gov- 
ernment, who  obtain,  in  lieu  of  a  pension,  the  privi- 
lege of  preying  on  chance  visitors.  No  Beef-eaters, 
as  they  now  call  the  successors  of  the  old  attendants 
on  the  Bufifet,  or  side-board,  with  their  jolly  faces, 
and  black  velvet  hats,  and  Elizabethan  rufi's,  to 
hurry  you  through  the  place,  while  they  hurry 
through  their  story,  and  care  for  nothing  about  you, 
except  the  coin  they  have  earned  by  their  services. 

On  Randall's  Island  there  is  also  a  large  estab- 
lishment. To  it,  as  to  the  others,  we  went,  leaving 
our  carriage  on  the  opposite  side,  and  signalling  for 
a  boat,  which  came  for  us  at  once,  and  brought  us 
back  when  we  had  seen  all  we  wished  to  see,  without 
charge.  On  this  island  we  saw  upwards  of  1,100 
children,  from  two  to  fourteen  years  old.  Here  the 
foundlings,  the  parentless,  and  the  oflfspring  of  the 


THE  ISLANDS.  827 


worthless  and  wretched  are  cared  for.  We  entered 
our  names  in  the  Manager's  book.  On  reading 
mine,  he  said,  "  You  are  from  Scotland,  I  suppose. 
Out  of  these  1,100  children,  nine  tenths  are  Irish, 
a  very  few  English,  the  remainder  are  German  ;  we 
have  little  to  do  with  your  country  here."  So  we 
found  it  on  Blackwell's  Island,  in  the  Hospitals,  and 
elsewhere.  Our  country-people  have  a  name  for  up- 
right industry,  forethought,  and  economy,  which  ob- 
tains for  them  a  welcome.  Domestics,  either  male 
or  female,  are  much  preferred  from  Scotland,  and 
repeatedly  our  ears  were  greeted  with  the  accents 
of  our  own  Doric  from  the  coachman,  when  driving 
with  friends  in  various  cities. 

Dr.  Bethune  gave  us  a  characteristic  anecdote, 
which  it  is  pleasant  to  record.  The  people  in  Phil- 
adelphia were  moved  with  pity  for  the  Highlanders, 
on  occasion  of  a  severe  famine,  which  occurred  some 
years  ago,  and  assembled  to  consult  on  the  most 
efficient  way  to  aid  them.  If  I  remember  right,  a 
cargo  of  flour  was  what  they  agreed  to  send.  What- 
ever it  was,  several  present  cheerfully  volunteered  to 
go  round  the  city,  and  raise  the  money  from  door  to 
door.  The  Scotchmen  present  were  not  gratified, 
but  troubled,  by  the  kind  proposal,  and,  after  mu- 
tual consultation,  an  old  gentleman  stood  up  and 


328  THE.  ISLANDS. 


asked  what  money  would  be  requiredj  and  on  a  sum 
being  mentioned,  he  said  with  much  emotion,  that 
"  the  people  of  his  country  were  not  used  to  beg,  and 
would  not  like  it.  If  the  meeting  would  excuse 
them,  though  they  were  full  of  gratitude,  they  would 
rather  raise  the  necessary  amount  among  themselves" 
— and  they  did  so — ^not,  however,  declining  volun- 
teered  assistance. 

But  I  must  return  to  Randall's  Island,  where  we 
found  no  countryman.  It  was  Saturday.  The  chil- 
dren were  at  play.  The  boys  with  fife  and  drum, 
and  banners  waving  marched,  about  twelve  deep, 
past  the  front  of  the  Centre  House  where  we  stood. 
Though  most  of  them  were  of  foreign  extraction, 
everything  in  their  training  is  calculated  to  natural- 
ize or  rather  citizenize  them.  This  plan  we  found 
pursued  in  all  the  institutions.  It  is  wonderful  how 
early  they  learn  to  feel  themselves  a  part  of  the  com- 
munity, and  to  consider  what  becomes  them  in  that 
capacity.  Each  banner  had  its  motto,  "  Washing- 
ton's body-guard,"  "  Washington,  the  honest  boy  and 
friend  of  his  country,"  "  Are  we  not  a  band  of  broth- 
ers ?"  &c.  We  afterwards  saw  them  exercise  in  a 
great  open  hall,  shaded  from  the  sun  and  heard  them 
sing  "  Hail  Columbia,"  and  other  patriotic  songs. 
Then  two  young  orators  stood  on  a  bench  and  ha- 


THE  ISLANDS.  329 


rangued  "  right  well,"  about  the  power  of  steam  and 
of  the  uses  of  railways ;  and  of  the  fun  they  should 
have  on  the  4th  of  July,  when  they  would  fire  squibs, 
cry  huzza,  eat  nice  fruit  and  sugar-plums,  drink  cool 
iced  water,  and  not  reduce  themselves  below  the  beast 
with  intoxicating  liquors,  and  finally  sing  "  Yankee 
Doodle."  The  little  fellows  are  all  embryo  states- 
men. The  voice,  enunciation,  and  air  of  one  of 
those  we  heard,  marked  him  out  for  an  orator. 
What  should  prevent  him  from  rising  to  high  oflSice 
in  the  State  ?  We  saw  them  at  dinner.  On  inquir- 
ing why  two  boys  stood  on  the  fioor  looking  on  while 
the  others  were  eating,  an  attendant  said  that  was 
the  punishment  for  rudeness  to  each  other,  but  that 
they  should  dine  when  the  rest  had  done  and 
returned  to  their  play.  Each  child  had  his  little 
towel  fixed  to  his  collar.  It  serves  as  a  napkin  at 
meals,  and  also  for  washing.  The  plan  for  ablution 
was  quite  new  to  me,  and  the  object  of  its  construc- 
tion is,  that  no  one  child  may  by  possibility  touch 
the  water  used  by  another.  In  the  centre  of  the 
room  is  fixed  a  circular  bath-tub,  large  enough  for  a 
child  to  swim  in,  with  an  aperture  in  the  bottom 
which  carries  off  its  contents.  Around  the  inside 
rim  of  the  huge  tub  runs  a  pipe  in  wliich  are  twenty- 
four  orifices  about  a  foot  apart.     When  the  water 


830  THE  ISLANDS. 


is  turned  on  it  flows  out  at  these^  and  each  child 
takes  his  turn  to  occupy  one  of  them,  dabWing  freely 
in  the  cooling  stream,  but  never  finding  it  possible 
twice  to  touch  the  same  water,  as  it  is  all  the  time 
flowing  away.  Their  dormitories  are  airy.  They 
use  iron  bedsteads,  and  each  child  has  a  bed  to  him- 
self 

The  division  of  the  extensive  buildings  devoted 
to  the  girls  is  exactly  on  the  same  plan  as  the  other. 
We  saw  them  go  through  various  evolutions,  and 
heard  them  recite  and  sing.  We  saw  their  nurses 
at  dinner.  Their  aspect  was  very  unpleasing  to  me, 
and  when  their  history  was  explained  I  did  not  won- 
der. They  are  all  taken  from  among  the  criminals 
on  Blackwell's  Island.  Fierce,  vulgar,  and  unkind, 
the  few  words  that  reached  the  ear  too  well  suited 
the  appearance  of  those  who  used  them ;  and  the 
poor  orphans  at  their  mercy  seemed  little  likely  to 
crowd  round  their  knees  to  seek  for  attention. 
Amongst  the  many  profuse  and  well-ordered  charities 
in  this  generous  country,  which  draw  forth  the  warm- 
est admiration,  this  is  the  solitary  instance  of  false 
economy  that  has  come  under  my  notice.  A  few 
hundred  dollars  per  annum  would  procure  mild,  ten- 
der, and  Christian  "  care-takers"  for  these  poor 
nurslings,  some  of  whom  looked  delicate,  and  all  of 


THE   ISLANDS.  831 


whom  are  capable  of  moral  injury  or  improvement, 
according  to  the  treatment  to  which  they  are  sub- 
ject. 

That  which  seemed  to  me  defective  in  the  common 
schools,  pervades  this  and  other  establishments. 
The  fear  of  countenancing  any  denominational  reli- 
gion in  particular,  limits  their  religious  instruc- 
tion altogether.  A  small  portion  of  Scripture  is 
read  daily.  There  is  not  generally  any  questioning 
upon  it,  and  no  catechisms  or  texts  are  taught. 
There  is  a  service  on  Sunday  for  Protestants,  and 
one  on  Wednesday  for  Papists.  If  there  were  real 
Protestant  influences,  the  opportunity  could  not  fail 
to  be  used  to  win  over  these  poor  friendless  things. 
The  only  influence  retained  over  them  by  their  pa- 
rentage is  to  detain  them  in  the  Church  of  Rome. 

I  asked  leave  to  see  the  idiots  of  the  place,  who, 
considering  the  parentage  of  most  of  the  inmates, 
were  not  so  numerous  as  might  have  been  expected. 
The  amiable  physician  and  my  companions  were  sur- 
prised by  my  wish  and  dissuaded  me.  But,  since 
seeing  the  unlooked-for  success  of  Dr.  Gruggenbuhl 
at  the  hospital  of  the  Abendberg  in  catching  up  the 
slender  thread  of  intellect,  and  unwinding  it  gently 
along  with  bracing  and  cheering  physical  treatment, 
I  have  become  convinced  that  many  are  given  up  to 


332  THE  ISLANDS. 

• 

hopeless  idiocy,  who  might  by  proper  treatment  be 
very  considerably  elevated. 

We  found  twenty-seven  set  around  the  walls  of  a 
room,  like  gnarled  and  withered  plants.  They  were 
clean  and  well  cared-for,  by  a  kind  old  woman,  who 
looks  as  if  half  her  own  intellect  had  fled,  without, 
however,  having  injured  her  large  benevolence,  dur- 
ing the  years  that  she  has  cherished  her  most  dis- 
couraging charge.  The  remembrance  of  them  is 
melancholy, — not  a  toy,  a  bit  of  twine,  or  a  soft  ball, 
was  there  to  teach  them  the  use  of  their  poor,  long, 
feeble,  skinny  fingers,  or  to  interrupt  the  monotony 
of  existence.  In  some  of  the  "  Homes,"  kind  ladies 
have  supplied  this  want,  and  the  little  ones  trot  about 
with  horses  on  wheels,  hoops,  balls,  or  dolls.  It 
would  be  of  use  in  various  ways  if  some  such  gifts 
might  find  their  way  into  this  doleful  ward.  Several 
of  them  seemed  susceptible  of  interests, — smiling 
on  the  doctor,  and  watching  their  companions  as  he 
spoke  to  them  in  turn.  Two  of  them  proposed  to 
sing  for  us  "  Mary  in  Heaven," — they  did  sing,  after 
a  fashion.  Their  song,  however,  turned  out  to  be 
"  The  Castle  of  Montgomery."  As  they  knew  the 
words  of  that  song,  which  they  had  probably  learned 
before  they  came  there,  they  must  have  been  capa- 
ble of  learning  a  hymn.     After  we  left  them,  one 


THE   ISLANDS.  333 


merry  little  chap  called  over  the  window,  "  You  did 
not  hear  my  song."  Not  liking  to  disappoint  him, 
we  returned  and  heard  "  Old  Virginia's  Shore,"  in  a 
very  imperfect  pronunciation.  Several  seemed 
greatly  to  enjoy  the  song,  and  the  return  of  the  com- 
pany to  hear  it;  and  there  were  evidences  that 
many  of  them  might  be  taught  something  which 
might  render  life  less  dreary,  and  even  awaken  in 
them  some  sense  of  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come. 

But  who  has  time  and  patience  or  benevolence 
for  so  repulsive  an  undertaking  ?  No  one  probably 
but  some  medical  experimenter  on  matter  and  mind. 
No  inmates  of  the  huge  dwelling  were  more  tidy, 
or  had  a  more  airy  apartment  than  they.  It  is  a 
great  thing  that  the  State  clothes,  feeds,  and  tends 
these  poor  things — many  of  them  victims  of  paren- 
tal profligacy — and  does  not  allow  them  to  roam 
about  like  the  "  fool  Jacks"  and  "  daft  Jamies"  that 
we  used  to  see  a  few  years  since  hanging  about  inn- 
yards  and  gateways  in  Scotland. 

This  day  was  entirely  interesting  and  satisfactory, 
in  spite  of  the  powerful  sun  which  glared  upon  us. 
And  the  kind  lady,  whose  acquaintance  we  made  at 
the  "  Home  for  the  Friendless,"  and  who,  out  of  her 
generous  good-will,  oflfered  to  conduct  us,  rendered 
it  by  her  society  still  more  interesting. 


334  THE   ISLANDS. 


On  Staten  Island,  which  forms  one  side  of  the 
Bay  of  New  York,  is  the  Quarantine  House,  where 
emigrants  unfit  on  account  of  sickness  to  he  taken 
to  Ward's  Island,  are  cared  for.  Here  many  a  pa- 
tient in  ship-fever  is  carried  to  be  medicated  and 
nursed — many  are  restored  to  health,  but  many  also 
die. 

The  "  Sailor's  Snug  Harbor"  has  also  found  its 
place  on  Staten  Island  ;  but  being,  as  we  were  told, 
the  fruit  of  private  beneficence,  it  does  not  come 
into  the  same  class  with  the  institutions  on  the  other 
islands. 

Those  who  have  buffeted  with  winds  and  waves 
for  many  a  day,  find  in  this  beautiful  locality  a  haven 
of  repose — a  kind  of  miniature  Grreenwich  Hospi- 
tal. To  escape  the  tedium  of  being  unemployed, 
some  of  them  have  learned  the  art  of  making  bas- 
kets of  a  tough,  reedy-looking  substance,  in  such 
elegant  forms  that  you  might  imagine  them  modelled 
in  Grreece  or  Etruria,  rather  than  woven  by  hands 
that  have  heaved  at  the  capstan  and  furled  the  sail. 


There  is  a  Scotch  proverb,  "  It  is  easier  to  look 
on  a  burden  than  to  lift  it,"  meaning  that  the  sym- 
pathizer does  not  feel  so  keenly  as  the  sufferer. 
The  result  of  this  truth  is,  that  many  sufferers  re- 
main unaided.  Yet  the  Christian  part  of  our  world 
shows  varied  and  noble  establishments,  the  sole 
object  of  which  is  to  lighten,  if  not  remove,  the 
load  of  the  burdened.  We  find  it  instructive  to 
look  from  the  institution  to  its  source,  and  can  gen- 
erally trace  it  to  a  single  bosom  where  the  chord  of 
compassion  has  been  touched  by  a  sight  of  distress 
— and  from  that  we  thankfully  follow  it  higher,  till 
we  reach  Him  from  whom  compassions  flow,  and 
who  hath  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  his  hand,  and 
turneth  them  as  He  tumeth  the  rivers  of  water. 
Thus  was  the  heart  of  the  benevolent  Count  Von  De 
Reeke  touched  when  he  found  naked  children  living 
on  roots  in  a  Silesian  forest,  whom  a  prolonged  and 
bloody  war  had  rendered  parentless.     Out  of  his 


DEAF  AND  BLIND. 


emotion  of  pity  sprung  the  Institution  at  Dflsselthal 
Abbey,  which  has  preserved,  educated,  and  sent  out 
in  the  world  1,400  orphans.  Thus  was  the  heart 
of  Mrs.  Tomlinson  moved,  by  the  faithfulness  of  a 
widow  who  rescued  her  children  from  a  Popish 
asylum,  and  preferred  extreme  poverty  with  them 
to  having  them  fed  and  perverted, — and  out  of  this 
sprung  the  Half  Orphan  Asylum,  beginning  in  a 
cellar,  where  a  matron  took  charge  of  four  babes. 
One  house  after  another,  was  found  too  strait  for 
them,  till  now  they  rank  amongst  the  substantial 
and  excellent  charities  of  New  York.  Thus,  too, 
was  Dr.  Guggenbiihl  smitten  with  the  idea  that 
there  might  exist  some  portion  of  mind  under  the 
deformity  and  apparent  idiocy  of  the  poor  Cretin. 
He  saw  one  of  these  miserable  beings  kneeling  and 
muttering  before  an  image  of  the  Virgin.  Compas- 
sion welled  up  till  his  heart  had  no  repose — and  out 
of  that  has  sprung  the  cheerful  and  prosperous  hos- 
pital of  the  Abendberg,  which  has  been  parent  to 
another  and  another,  in  Switzerland ;  to  two  schools 
for  those  of  feeble  intellects,  in  England ;  and  it  is 
expected  that  more  of  this  humble  but  useful  family 
of  charity  are  hastening  to  come  forth  vigorously  in 
America. 

But  the  examples  are  numerous,  and  might  oc- 


DEAF  AND  BLIND.  837 

cupy  a  chapter  themselves.  The  only  one  that  I 
shall  name  in  addition  is  connected  closely  with  our 
present  subject. 

In  the  city  of  Hartford  it  pleased  God  to  afflict 
a  very  lovely  and  intelligent  young  creature,  Alice 
Cogswell,  with  the  loss  of  hearing.  Her  father  was 
an  eminent  physician.  His  ingenuity  and  inquiries 
for  the  means  of  instructing  his  beloved  child  were 
unceasing.  But  we  prefer  to  quote  a  portion  of  an 
oration  delivered  by  Mr.  Gallaudet  to  the  re-assem- 
bled pupils  of  the  Asylum  which  sprung  out  of 
Alice's  misfortune,  after  it  has  shed  its  benignant 
influence  on  deaf  mutes  for  thirty-five  years. 

"  Some  of  our  number,  both  teachers  and  pupils, 
have  gone  to  the  spirit-world.  She  has  gone,  the 
beloved  Alice,  my  earliest  pupil,  who  first  drew  my 
attention  to  the  deaf  and  dumb,  and  enkindled  my 
sympathy  for  them.  "We  will  ever  cherish  her 
memory  and  that  of  her  father,  one  of  your  best 
and  long-tried  friends.  We  will  never  forget  that 
to  them  under  the  divine  guidance  and  blessing, 
we  owe  the  origin  of  those  ample  provisions  which 
have  been  made  for  your  benefit.  For  God  saw  fit 
to  visit  her  at  a  tender  age,  with  your  common 
privation.  And  on  whom  else,  so  intelligent  and 
lovely,  could  his  mysterious  yet  benign  Providence 
22 


mA^''iAmfB%mi). 


felt  in  her  and  her  fellow-suffererSj  in  6M6i*'tolfeat<ltO 
iyi^oictfp'e^aka^ifebtti^llakik'ltititkbi^'^  * 

%fei4im'ri6%,'d4ar  fe)"tM*^  "to^l^  atia'Ida'tiglitet,he^- 
fe'6if  'al  '^layiiiai7e%'it^-  ^Ager  bl^hek  k^d '  Sistei*s= 
'W6ri1^>#ihi^'*k^«^iHtlito''t^ith  htei',''ftttd' th^n^^ 
%'tofeA^tM^'h^i'^ltJrth-ii'(jt!dti/^^'T^  I  did'fwitt 
-mmto'lui^^,  i^e^Mtki^d  Wde6yi,te'Witi^»ilb  li^e 

effect  thV  UnMl^  '^esf^S  '6f '  ^ii' fMli&%-<jMifei[«  \ 

Wa^'faiks'W  6#^ctoti-y."^  'gfe-6  i^'^thfeS'i^^ftubb^Ayivfe 
Mlki'(tf"'Pk>vi(!t6ttfe^''H6^  to  Wbi'kS'^^iil  tli^'dMte 
^^hJ^iBfeii^cfe'iit'n^v;§m^Ms."  "^'*'i^  'k*^  viUcqfa/K 
•*«-^*7Tifett''. fibt^^the'^riathb  \yf< (klIkiiHelf'*6a^e«'tt^ 
^i^  Lfe^^k'i  ^p¥>il  'tttQ^-'^he  A1bb€  ^iki-d,  at  t>^rii^, 
:^rt^«^  »t&fen^^=e^jk<!jM'^^'tli«i'5higlik#  *^li8s  ^bfi'deaf 

tot(«!s  itt"tKaft^my.M '  Wh^tt^ie^ttiiiiifea  tc^tia  ti&t?^ 

'^n'avlii'''gActefeked''iW' bh^tf^iiig'Sl^itii'^Wnl'm  ^^^ 
^etff^Olferfe'/aiiotfer  ele^e  dfhli^  Fr^tjtf^fiisiiMiOil, 
km ifi'S'tef  sp^ee'tiifey_%fei^^  IM-Chi^l^vely'^tf^^M 


PtEAJ?  lAIil;^/ BiiilNiBi. 


npi'ilt  iarthe  offspring  of  ClirisUanJjeneTplenc©) 
arid  ir^fmi it  haa  sprungian . exteiaaite  family.  •  = ; 1 1  .  t-f ;  i 

ill Ani«teffesiliiBg,aud  steUkipg  festival  wap  iiiel4 . PR 
Sept.,  26,  W5Q^im(ihe  Hartford,  Asylum, iwhere  it  i^ 
bdieved  more  perswaS  enduring  *th^  aam^.  ^d  priva^ 
tion  met,-  thaawere  &ym  .hisfoi^^  aammbhdio^etli^i^ 
siiwe  the  iworld ib^aa  nomuiun  vjn;  li')  cf.ofb  h'^asq 

!.  MiTi  iBro^iki-of:  News  Hampshir^^aa  oarly  anditi^ 
telHgeiit  pwpilrof  the  Aaylum,,  statedy/inshifl  grj^phJQ 
laiiguiagef^£,^igtiay;thBfc)bis  splijit  could,  ;find  HQireBt 
tilli.hfe'.laadi  dewsed  soma  m^tl^od  of  giving; qjtprm- 
flipBtto^iA  gjtatittid©,- .which  th^i  lapae;of  yeai?a  sery ^d 
«!»ly i  it^» ( liactea#Q.f  i  jTiM»>  lAfta^ nWftP  - f^PMi, i . pugg^sl^ed  • 
iwhen^lA  wasiseia^.and  made  common .prispe^ty.iin A 
««bi9cqri$>tic^  rwas/i  yaased,,  ifor^;  mi  he  Rfeated,  -  thie  wiflh 
ran  "  like  a  pjakfetfirei  tha-(>ughij,<the^!:hew;taiiQft;1te 
{Whole ':deaj^uteibnaad,!'!  seatte^d  though, they  were 
^ ;  lOiver.  i  itiie  i  ooriito^Ey.  <  .'The , .  |)lan,  1 1 W9*i, .  matured  in 
aeearet',  andit i^ullddtiln xijr^eenting jU-.v^Myii Qn^ 
laude^t:  aadiGlerdTtwo.  Kaassiveieilv^jipitehiergy  jtccpm.- 
pani)ed.*<fey^alT^e«Sv-4n96#«^  i:«wd  jheiawtifiilly  ;9h»^ 
^ith  fimblefij&i  I  jjiodw  iHrqo'd.tifplirlq  «tH,t  oi  bonjif^ 
il  !!0n*  tiie  feativieidayipf  ipueeetitation^  upwards,  jof 
two  hundred  deaf  imutes  /  noti <.  then  conneeted  with 
ihc  asykiin,  besides  the  »tiwo. hundred  inmates,  were 
present.il  iJifiti  usi  whoneaooi  >ex^reasi  duF.aeBtifiMlits 


340  DEAF  AND   BLIND. 

without  impediment  at  any  time,  in  any  society, 
imagine  the  glad  recognition  of  old  comrades,  the 
strong  delight  of  having  their  language  of  signs  in- 
telligible to  each  other,  the  narrative  of  their  re- 
cent history,  the  love,  the  gladness,  and  then  we 
shall  perceive  that  the  greetings  of  that  day  far  sur- 
passed those  of  any  common  assemblage  of  friends. 
There  were  orations  delivered  in  the  language  of 
signs,  which  were  interpreted  in  words  to  the  rest 
of  the  company.  The  extent  and  power  of  this 
sign-language  is  surprising  to  the  uninitiated,  as  I 
saw  and  felt  when  in  the  New  York  Asylum,  a 
teacher  told  his  class  my  country,  and  other  things 
without  writing,  and  they  immediately  wrote  on 
their  large  slates  what  they  knew  of  Scotland  or 
"  Caledonia,"  as  some  of  them  called  it. 

Mr.  Gallaudet  left  the  institution  in  1830,  to 
occupy  the  humane  office  of  chaplain  to  the  insane, 
but  he  is  justly  deemed  the  Father  of  the  "  Ameri- 
can Asylum,"  and  of  all  those  which  have  sprung 
from  it.  It  was  a  sincere  gratification  to  be  intro- 
duced to  this  philanthropist  whom  I  had  known  by 
report,  and  honored  so  long,  and  to  converse  with 
him  in  the  society  of  my  dear  friend  Mrs.  Sigour- 
ney.  It  was  sweet  to  me  to  take  shelter  in  her 
"  Dove's  nest,"  and  to  rest  under  her  fostering  wing, 


.:^4S'«A^ffi^.B3|.ji!a).  Sil 


i^jlfeow  hi^r,  BitQres  of  benevpl^ocp  9fl.dyint^lligenofi^ 
.«ftucliii(nfftrwa*iwj  whirfi  i fid^$!,ito,i  jtjie! .iiitejjesti  hug 
fyi^m  hq^seJfiand/kiQK  lOpuntiTyM.inJ  iUiw  h^Jooanoo 
.e  ,4-t  1  ,tihe^  [ ; JSi^wi  Y^rk  IiwtijtufcijOo]  lorr i thei  .Pieftft  ftn4 
j;^ij»ib,.,happeniog  tQ^\)|9  io  >iibe,fc<?^isq  flit  dmaigr-tjij»^| 
;t]^Q.ipre!si4ieQt  ,wifcli//  the  :|¥?lit«i  bospitftlHy  VI^McfcjS 
li^ye  fiQuncl  ev^uy where  ill;  thi5J  Pait^d*  Btatea,  pressed 
TA^ifi©i,JQit  jbhete  ^ari^y  'mi.th^  dkmgihai^.  oWlie  p«o- 
f(^9ftQT^»^nd;»atfie!mj  ;J>tipib^risDgi  abo«ti.a.diO?€n^  wer^ 
»t  £i  ■  c#^t3•0^tabJe,  m^vp  ■  we  were  ipj^a^sed ;  iaodi  th,er«i  it 
^ftg  pl^s^apt,  ,tO'  fijwj  ft ,$9a,  .of  JWir., ;Gnaliaud«t,  .puusui 
iftg!iii8;iMili0r'#.p«tli  fitm^mji.  f/i  He-  told  jne  that  ibis 
fafch^  hn4i  TOfcten  to  him  -of  luejand  thua  a  Iricaiaily 
relation  was  .qwcklysie^tablished- h^tweeo.  lUaji  It 
^^s^^ijRio??^'to^ieei^r)thi^-keein  gjamoesiofitheitl?-©  ihun- 
dred  and  twefltj^T^^Ves.  mutes  wha  :0c<Jupied,tSle  "msig 
t^hle^^iM.if  thfijuiW^iW^wak^  doublet ;u^e  olione 
^nge, .  beca^u^e  .;<rf , ; the  i  abseaciei  ,ef  lanKHtiiec  ;i .  and !  lAi 
l^arks^bleithaiti^h^irMflaQYeiifceftta  were  all  sq.  quiet,  aB 
fppDft  thftW'o wJpiUt-y  :tQ,:;hear,,0Deii  might  .hayeicss- 
P^t^d pft»i . !^xtTa, :Ilpi9^  -of  ikoi^es  ^nd  fcrks. ,  -^Tkey 
^09ke4/,gei?iei^al]lj,  .flh^rftil,.  aft^.-had-pleiBis^nt  >  intof.T 
(^^lige  9,ff  s^i;i|^^nt,ij>,t^<?iijT  qi^^^t  Jfti?@ua^x?f  ,eagjp^ 
^OiM9oif/^rei>sliowAltfe^;  4a^gh^r;«f:  .a.?»i*flioftaipyi,H) 
Northern  Indi^.jffiiqsg  jtlj^.jpTy^j(JisBij,Iit;48  pleawng  <0 


342  DEAF  AND  BLIND. 

set  the  interest  excited  by  the  children  of  mission- 
aries. They  are  pointed  out  to  strangers  in  all  in- 
stitutions, but  specially  if  the  institution  be  one 
connected  with  human  infirmity.  In  the  Blind 
Asylum  at  Philadelphia  we  were  introduced  to  a 
lively  little  girl  connected  with  the  Chinese  Mis- 
sion. Well  does  it  become  us  who  rest  at  home  to 
extend  our  sympathy  to  the  oflFspring  of  our  dele- 
gates, who  in  heathen  lands,  amid  many  hardships, 
have  this  one  added  to  their  privations  and  deep  anx- 
ieties, that  they  can  neither  enjoy  the  society  of  their 
own  dear  children,  nor  superintend  their  mental  and 
religious  training.  Many  a  time  have  I  seen  such 
children  cherished  in  America,  and  been  introduced 
to  them  as  subjects  of  peculiar  interest. 

In  August,  1850,  a  convention  of  Teachers  of 
Deaf  Mutes  was  held  at  their  Institution  in  New 
York.  Instructors  from  seven  similar  Asylums  met 
there  with  Old  Teachers  and  others  interested  in 
discovering  the  best  means  of  improving  the  mental 
education,  and  the  moral  and  social  condition  of 
the  Deaf  The  examination  which  is  reported  by 
the  Eev.  Mr.  Day  seems  to  have  been  searching  and 
satisfactory,  while  the  best  results  may  be  antici- 
pated from  the  congregated  wisdom  and  experience 
of  so  many  zealous  and  practical  men. 


DEAF  AND  BLIND.  343 

There  is  in  the  Hartford  Institution  an  example 
of  an  individual  deprived  of  sight  as  well  as  hearing. 
Julia  Bliss  is  the  child  of  poor  parents.  She  lived 
for  several  years  in  her  father's  house,  without  any 
eflPbrt  being  made  to  instruct  her.  It  is  wonderful 
to  hear  how  much  her  own  sagacity  had  taught  her. 
She  could  wash  and  dress  little  brothers  and  sisters ; 
and  when,  in  her  untrained  impatience,  she  slapped 
or  shook  any  of  them,  as  she  could  neither  hear 
their  cries  nor  see  their  tears,  she  was  used  to  feel 
their  eyes,  and  if  she  found  them  weeping,  she  would 
take  pains  to  soothe  and  comfort  them.  She  learnt 
the  use  of  money,  it  was  not  distinctly  known  how, 
and  if  any  was  given  to  her  she  would  hoard  it  till  a 
neighbor  in  whom  she  confided  came  within  her 
reach,  when  she  would  bring  to  her  an  object  such 
as  she  wanted  (say  a  comb  or  string  of  beads),  show 
it,  give  her  money,  sign  to  her  to  go  out  and  get  it, 
and  then  not  rest  till  she  got  her  fairly  out  of  the 
house.  She  was  watchful  about  the  clothing  of  her 
sisters,  and  very  jealous  if  she  discovered  that  they 
had  new  shoes  or  frocks,  while  she  had  old  ones. 
Naturally  of  a  hot  temper,  without  any  door  open  by 
which  to  reach  her  reason  or  conscience,  she  com- 
monly managed  to  keep  the  family  uncomfortable 
till  her  wishes  were  acceded  to.     She  was  ultimately 


o,bs§ry^4  ]?y  q^.li^ft^y^entjv^f^wtiau^j  pto4,raifi^er 
instruQtiQijL  |:  I,  ^d,  jxQt  :^^  ,\ie^^'knUym^jmfmm^ 
^^lat  sh^  has  »P:t,gaiii^ii  ao  «l^qhl^s.:f)l^;  w^t  ](^^^^ 

Sf^fl^ei  jfli  gjre^t  r^trength,  pivJii#i.ilb  is.,tJw)ugl^tI#»i»?B» 
Bridg^i^Pj  jhw  £^§aQciatqJwi  pii^foyfcwieiy ,  i$  q^arlyt 
degitMutQ.,,,.J»W*i4i3cerp9;  all,  persons  !^»^  fthingS)b3B 
l!LerjSceiit„:^liicIi  3«?eipgfO!f  ;1ibe,qJ)ar^]tieru0fi^ha/tii)j5J5 
^irjiifih  a,  {iog,tr?iicl^s, hi^ijpa^!fttey,:<^riatljoi^«4  Ms^preyo 

<l>ppupationa.i»j  tj^^  ;j4^?tit»iiiQ|i^,43  Tfhat.snjjfty  SQte0i 
i^m^fil ihavft  its .^iJipiAtoi.tQ  ipeK?pl«h wi:tlpi  i  b<?*h  jeyj^s^ 
S.li,e.  1  i*eceiy§s ,  |t>i^, ,  plijthe^ :  fqqjpi ,  ith^ ,  ^^awdyess^,  sm^ 
sorts  tjiew  Wil^e,  plQ^t€;s-?foop^,  Jj^yej;, plying  tb^ 
pr,9i)^^r^ji9^  W(^..,iifl»ftt^^„Wi  ;^  <pig0|»inliiiol«<4£i^ 

,/,  The  idpa  :"wias  ^ ^oioeifve^ ;  -of  ia^i^ujBiag!;  the t  Itwos 
girls,  sisteiTs  in  age,  m  s^^  an4  M  .mhrniia^fMr^ah 
o,^l^er.,  put  it  s^ems ;  ii«  pro^r  j  mod©.  o£  coBattnimr 
ca,tioii,cov^ld,]bp,  eiStafeUsh^d;. between i:theBl%  and-fchei 
ipeeting  was  ^  fj^tilu^e.  ,  hmrB,.  Bci%ei»ani^t(  Boston^ 
wa^,  told  the  history  of  i^iilia  ,  Blise^,  and  iheu.  xomaoH 
tip  aa4  seQsitiye  wind  ,wa^  worked  istiplio  ft' Jpas^W 
ojtue];ith^sia^tipi  sympathy..;  Juii^  ,had'.»0; langfeta^ 
by jy^jl^ipli , .^e. :  co^ld ■  be  ■, ; tpl^  .-^e ,  .history. fOf. i  IfUx^ 


DEAF  AND  BLIND.  845 

person  she  had  never  felt  before,  and  bedewed  by 
tears,  the  cause  of  which  she  could  not  divine,  she 
exerted  a  most  determined  resistance,  much  to  the 
grief  and  surprise  of  poor  Laura,  whose  heart,  full 
of  love,  was  thrown  roughly  back  upon  herself 

We  had  an  interview  with  Laura  Bridgeman  at 
the  noble  Blind  Asylum  of  Boston.  Her  first  ques- 
tion was,  "  Have  you  seen  Doctor  ?"  Dr.  Howe, 
being  her  first  link  to  social  life,  is  of  course  to  her 
the  most  interesting  person  in  the  world.  A  blind 
friend  by  her  side,  interpreted  to  us  the  hand-language 
of  Laura,  who  has  a  pretty  figure,  is  pale,  with  fair 
hair,  neatly  braided  by  herself,  and  small  green 
shades  which  entirely  cover  the  sockets  once  occu- 
pied by  her  blue  eyes.  Her  features  are  animated, 
and  her  face  full  of  sensibility.  She  replied  sensi- 
bly to  various  questions,  and  when  she  was  told  that 
one  of  the  ladies  was  from  Scotland,  she  made  sev- 
eral remarks  about  that  country,  and  observed  that 
she  must  have  crossed  3,000  miles  of  ocean  to  come 
to  Boston.  She  suddenly,  without  apparent  expla- 
nation, made  her  way  from  behind  a  little  table,  flew 
across  the  wide  hall  like  a  bird,  and  must  have  as- 
cended the  lofty  staircase  with  as  rapid  and  as  sure 
a  foot  as  the  possession  of  all  her  senses  could  have 
bestowed,  for  she  returned  in  a  moment.     She  had 


5^6  a?jgAFiAi^j>.^j[ir®. 

.4eiliQ?^teihapfi. ,  :QmMy>gm^hm>% ^l^doUsAniSi, 

touched  |t.;i"W[i]bJ^,fhj?r,  ,i}0|jgti^,(pft?el^UijC'  fijBge^.I^ 
figures  on  tJi<J  siu:f£HGiie,itb«n;iraiiib3e«  aailjiroliB^/the 
nptchpd  .;e4gei,  an^  e^i^  Wuthe/liltfi^r'dlltodGrriQBfci, 
^',  jCaiUfoi-nja."  X-paaji  Jiep.  m^$v^v<rfIsix;ac<»iiflol4) 
wak©!  up,o^. ^Ihv  . , ! ^hft|fii3igei^4,»td  ediiiiaitfdtlieifi 
]tiill;.shp  wa^.is^^js^^ql  ,i^  ,^9^.  rj^tpfe^iig^r^ciquaini^id 
;^tji,  tlje  if^^g!  ,^  ifcji^ ;y^H§ i  pf  Ijjalf  T^Hd^n^Joairti* 
4pjlar%  of  ,^j^QS;  and  shiUi»g«^   :  (>»ie.i»t)»l.dtifltlieil^ 

^l^<5ji  ,(?^n  M  .^c^^  tAvb«P/I%^l)iiQ4iJfeM^b(ite 
ijf hic^i  w?iy .  tpud,  4^^  co{v^^ii(?nsnes&/  «bQi{l<i  •.  CUrDti&hf^lop 
Urge  ^  ,  ^J^aif e. , ,  :^e  /y«f^^ ,  |^,i  .h^i^verV:  *te  &flr 

industry.;  She  j^n<lPir^4  mli^  fm'io^f^MiMi^J^jW^ 
ba4  9Ji9S^n :  t)ln^ !  ;0r  pnqe,  c^aT-  r  ij  WiiQBfTlQlii  tfaa* 
«4n^  s^ia^.tQ.gq  tQ;  Ut^tlm^Ml9^.^^mM  tfaerijM*- 
plan  fronji  .^hpni  %  ,b^  bronglMJ.ftiM^fefor.ibSpffiwfii, 
Ijb^  e^p?:,f  s§p4;  gife?^,  de%bt,.^ii*ig^5ie?^>pteasaiitlyi 
-Ks;"^Pn^erer4|qld,;lDiut;nQt  WLi^b^  Jj3^ti|fei5ii9%iaiaA:Bii 
:^,H^  i])een  greatly  :^nn(>y^j(.S9lte»jM  dbfidjacfepito 
^n4i  tJ^at.^  vi^te ilMt4;,to|Ld  -h^^e^.ii^^^ihnJikM 


DEmTAK-D,'  BLIND.  ;8i4i7 

avoids  imagery,  or  anything  like  complex  figures  in 
his  mstructio'ns,  and  she  did  not  knOw  what  lio  make 
of  this  new ^tfig^i:^^,,..^tj?ouaV; indeed  h^yeTy  difficult 
to  tread  in  his  stepfe  ais  her  instructbr;  yet  one  feels 
a  stMne  syjmpat*^y  with  .the  Hiad  frienil  ^ho  wished 
to  lead  her  .t|(^ia|jb!wwledga<?|  th^:a,tpnemea^.iftr/^^ 

We  heard' %itli&,'  Hiiire-  sui^prise,  that  the  amiable 
wife  of  ]?^r,jj|^j.!(a3^de]t.,  tlie  benefactor  of  the  deaf,  is 
herself  a  mute.  So  thfi  animated,  inielXectual  young 
man,  whom  V^  '^iiik^'ii^  'to  5^^'^bi^  iMfetfon, 
never  w^jsjqujg  tiQ.?l5^p,l[?.y;ti^p,voice^pfpM?^^ 
I  was  much  mb*e  JMrpWsed  tO'  learn  that  lipwai-ds 
of  a  hundred  pupils  of  the  JldirtfdrBf 'Myltiiii  'are 
married^.tl;)ij^rf^£ater  part;  amppg^themsjelves,  though 
some  halve  partners  who  dam,  hdai*  and  -  speak.  ^  The 
fear  whictfwe  r^^M  Mm^MWii^^^ 
to  their  offspring;,  has,  been,  by.  a  gracious  Provi- 
dence, dlsl^l^OiritM.     "  With  a  few  exeeptionsj  they 

are  bless^gg^^fe  fi^?^ft,  .'^^jipg  Mt  j^^^^^ 

which  will  be  a  great  consolation  to  them  in  old 

age."     The  men  are  freemen,  and  have  votes. 

The  resi^^^iif^j^cy^^'i^^c^ 
to  enter  into  theisentimeiiit  of  the;  American  poetess, 
when^^fc  ^ejputol  feeling  aiid  d^UeacJy  she'  de- 

nooixi^  io  qiiioq  'jiff  n-^i.uudi  ca  virrar>if'.>  hA 

scribef[9v,{)  ^q-^  nsriw  fcnA    .hssb  o6i  ilJiol  Wf,iod  Ud 

inil  ho1ls^Si&1i  oa  Am^h  hiii&  ,Joxi  ohai  aiy/ron  wjxlYf 


348  DEAF  AND  BLIIH). 


THE  MARRIAGE  OF  THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB. 

No  word !  no  sound  !    But  yet  a  solemn  rite 

Is  consummated  in  yon  festive  hall. 

Hearts  are  in  treaty,  and  the  soul  doth  take 

That  oath  which,  unabsolved,  must  stand,  till  death 

With  icy  seal,  doth  stamp  the  scroll  of  life. 

No  word  !  no  sound  !    But  still  a  holy  man, 

With  strong  and  graceful  gesture,  doth  impose 

The  irrevocable  vow,  and  with  meek  prayer 

Present  it  to  be  registered  in  Heaven. 

Methinks  the  silence  heavily  doth  brood 

Upon  the  spirit. — Say,  thou  flower-crowned  bride, 

What  means  the  sigh  which  from  that  ruby  lip 

Doth  'scape,  as  if  to  seek  some  element 

Which  angels  breathe  1 

Mute — mute — 'tis  passing  strange — 
Like  necromancy  all— and  yet,  'tis  well ; 
For  the  deep  trust  with  which  a  maiden  casts 
Her  all  of  earth,  perchance  her  all  of  heaven, 
Into  a  mortal's  hand — the  confidence 
With  which  she  turns  in  every  thought  to  him — 
Her  more  than  brother,  and  her  next  to  God, 
Hath  never  yet  been  shadowed  forth  in  sound. 
Or  told  in  language. 

So,  ye  voiceless  pair, 
Pass  on  in  hope.     For  ye  may  build  as  firm 
Your  silent  altar  in  each  other's  hearts, 
And  catch  the  sunshine  through  the  clouds  of  time, 
As  cheerily  as  though  the  pomp  of  speech 
Did  herald  forth  the  deed.    And  when  you  dwell 
Where  flowers  fade  not,  and  death  no  treasured  link 


DEAF  AND   BLIND.  349 

Hath  power  to  sever  more,  ye  need  not  mourn 
The  ear  sequestrate,  and  the  tuneless  tongue, 
For  there  the  eternal  dialect  of  love 
Is  the  free  breath  of  every  happy  soul " 
Poetical  Works,  p.  257.  Mrs.  L.  H.  Sigouhney. 

It  is  of  great  value  to  the  subjects  of  instruction, 
that  what  they  are  taught  of  Christianity,  is  in  gen- 
eral sound  and  heartfelt ;  and  very  touching  to  ob- 
serve that  the  prominent  felicity  of  heaven  dwelt  on 
by  the  pupils  in  letters  and  compositions  is,  that 
their  ears  shall  be  there  unstopped  and  their  tongues 
loosed. 


t  IBiinm. 


"  Yes,  there  are  some  who  sorrow's  vigils  keep, 
Unknown  that  languish,  undistinguished  weep." 


There  is  poverty  everywhere  in  the  world.  In 
the  United  States  there  is  enough  of  it,  but  it  is 
emigrant  poverty,  or  poverty  among  the  depressed 
colored  race.  One  heard  marvels  about  the  com- 
fortable condition  of  the  native  people.  In  one 
small  town  in  New  England,  a  society  of  ladies,  who 
met  for  devotional  purposes,  agreed  to  form  a  fund 
for  the  help  of  the  poor.  Having  raised  their 
means  they  began  to  look  about  for  their  objects, 
but  they  were  nowhere  to  be  found,  or  only  found 
in  the  persons  of  one  colored  family.  After  the 
humane  ladies  had  new-rigged  all  the  children,  and 
got  them  roused  and  sent  to  school,  they  added 
various  comforts  in  the  way  of  furniture,  then  they 
sent  one  man  to  repair  the  dripping  roof,  another 
to  fill  up  the  boards  in  the  broken  floor  and — 
their  work  was  done  !     They  were  obliged  to  turn 


THE  WIDOW.  851 


the  flow  of  their  contributions  into  the  wide  bed  of 
the  Home  Mission,  for  they  had  no  poor  !  The 
gentleman  who  told  me  this  was  personally  cogni- 
zant of  it.  It  seems  to  realize  the  saying  I  have 
heard  in  my  childhood,  that  there  is  but  one  beggar 
in  America,  and  he  rides  on  horseback.  That  New 
England  village  must  have  been .  happy  in  the  ab- 
sence of  inebriates,  "  of  Gin  Palaces,"  and  intoxi- 
cating drinks,  for  where  they  are  found  it  is  in  vain 
that  industry  plies  her  diligence  and  the  earth  pours 
forth  her  stores, — there  will  be  poverty,  misery,  wick- 
edness, and  degradation  in  their  vicinity. 

I  had  sometimes  wished  to  see  some  native  poor 
besides  those  to  be  found  so  comfortably  provided 
for  in  the  institutions,  and  at  last  I  was  gratified. 
It  seems  almost  necessary  to  premise,  that  our  visit 
to  widow  R.  was  entirely  unpremeditated  on  our 
part,  and  unexpected  on  hers,  otherwise  an  incident 
or  two  which  occurred,  might  wear  the  air  of  acting 
in  the  poor  woman,  when  it  was  not  so.  She  was 
lonely,  borne  down  with  grief,  and  nearly  blinded 
by  tears  with  which  no  one  sympathized. 

We  found,  in  a  neat  orderly  room,  a  tall  wasted 
figure  beside  a  very  small  table,  on  which  lay  ink 
and  paper,  and  two  or  three  bright  little  books, 
very  like  school  prizes.     She  was  dressed  in  rusty 


352  THE   WIDOW. 


black,  with  a  cap,  whose  former  pretensions  to  smart- 
ness, made  its  faded  black  lace  add  to  the  desolate 
appearance  of  the  wearer. 

She  was  writing  when  we  entered,  but  on  seeing 
strangers  she  laid  down  her  pen,  took  out  a  poor 
muslin  rag  to  wipe  tears  which  were  flowing  fast, 
and  without  taking  heed  at  all  to  who  her  guests 
might  be,  she  began  her  lament,  "  I  had  one  bright 
spot  in  my  gloom,  but  God  has  taken  it  away  from 

me.     My  dear  R is  gone,  and  I  don't  know 

where  she  is  gone  to,"  looking  round  the  roof  with 
an  indescribable  vague  expectancy,  as  if  she  might 
learn  from  the  ceiling  where  her  daughter  was. 
"  Don't  you  believe  in  a  state  of  happiness  for  those 
who  love  the  Lord  ?"  "  Oh  yes,  I  was  brought  up 
in  true  religion.  I  am  a  New  Englander ;  my 
parents  taught  me  about  the  fall  of  man,  and  salva- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ,  about  the  resurrection,  and  the 

judgment,  and  I  taught  it  all  to  my  child.     K 

believed  in  all  that,  but  I  can't  see  her  now.  I 
don't  know  where  she  is  gone  to."  "If  she  be- 
lieved in  Jesus  you  do  know,  and  if  she  is  with 
Jesus  where  he  is,  you  know  she  is  happy."  "  You 
talk,  but  you  never  lost  your  one  bright  spot  as  I 
have  done."  "  I  have  lost  children,  and  have  had 
very  bright  spots  darkened.     It  is  not  because  I  do 


THE  WIDOW.  858 


not  feel  for  you  that  I  speak,  but  because  I  know 
that  there  is  consolation  for  those  who  weep."  My 
companion  hoping  to  turn  the  current  of  her  thoughts 
said,  "  Perhaps  you  have  heard  of  Mary  Lundie. 
This  is  her  mother."  "  Is  it?"  hardly  turning  her 
streaming  eyes  to  me.  "  I  have  read  her  life  many 
a  time,  and  sold  hundreds  of  it  here  in  the  streets 
of  New  York."  "  You  sold  books  !  how  was  that  ?" 
"  I  was  born  to  aflBuence.  I  married  and  lived  well 
with  my  husband,  but  somehow  he  died,  and  left  me 
four  children  and  not  a  dollar.  I  could  work  with 
my  head,  but  not  with  my  hands,  so  I  wrote  politi- 
cal articles,  and  tales  for  magazines.  I  wrote  what- 
ever I  could  get  paid  for,  till  neuralgic  pains  put 
me  almost  distracted,  and  the  doctor  said  if  I  went 
on  writing  I  should  go  out  of  my  head."     "  And 

what  did  you  do  then?"     "Then  my  K had 

learnt  to  embroider,  and  1  sold  her  work,  and  Mr. 

C let  me  have  books,  and  I  hawked  them  from 

house  to  house,  and  at  last,  when  I  could  not  pay 
my  rent,  God  sent  a  good  spirit  to  help  me,  I  never 
saw  him,  but  he  has  paid  my  rent  for  years."  "  Do 
you  not  know  that  this  lady  is  the  wife  of  your  good 
spirit  ?"  "  Is  she  ?"  looking  slightly  round.  "  No,  I 
did  not,  but  now  she  never  sits  on  that  chair  at  her 
work  and  talks  to  me,  nor  even  lies  on  that  bed  sick. 
23 


354  THE   WIDOW. 


She  is  gone,  my  bright  spot,  and  I  don't  know  where 
she  is  gone  to,"  again  searching  the  ceiling  with  her 
restless  and  misty  eye. 

Poor  thing,  she  had  employed  herself  in  patching 
a  pretty  cushion  of  bits  of  silk  during  the  long 
nights,  while  she  watched  her  sick  child,  "  to  keep 
her  poor  eyes  open,"  as  she  said,  and  was  ministered 
to  by  two  young  ladies,  real  sisters  of  charity,  with- 
out the  garb  and  badge,  and  without  the  vow. 

At  last  consumption,  which  annually  nips  its  hun- 
dreds of  the  budding  and  blossoming,  finished  its 
work,  and  the  widow's  "  one  bright  spot"  was  dark- 
ened.    K died  in  her  lonely  arms,  which  clasped 

her  an  hour  and  a  half  before  the  poor  mourner 
could  admit  the  belief  that  she  was  dead ;  and  in 
the  morning,  when  the  two  friends  came  to  visit  her, 
they  attended  to  the  last  claims  of  the  departed,  and 
left  the  mourner  alone  with  her  sorrow.  She  told 
us  she  sat  alone  two  nights  by  the  shell  of  her  child, 
and  persuaded  herself  when  she  perused  her  coun- 
tenance at  four  in  the  morning,  that  she  had  again 
become  rosy.  Indeed  her  monomania  turned  on  the 
idea  that  she  had  not  died,  but  that  her  spirit  had 
just  slipt  away^  and  she  didrCt  know  where  it  had 
gone  to.  Her  eye  invariably  wandered  vaguely  up- 
wards, and  her  voice  fell  into  the  same  plaintive  ca- 


THE  WIDOW.  355 


dence  when  this  afflicting  thought  returned  in  its 
force.  She  read  to  us  some  rather  poetical  verses, 
which  she  called  "  a  voice  from  the  Spirits'  land,"  in 
which  the  daughter  addresses  the  mourner.  "  Weep 
not  for  me,  mother,  weep  not  for  me,"  and  describes 
her  present  state  of  perfect  happiness  as  the  reason. 
"  Who  told  you  all  those  sweet  things,  Mrs.  R.  ?" 

"  My  dear  K .     She  just  came  and  stood  by  me 

there,  and  dictated  it  all."  "  Well,  then,  you  do  know 
where  she  is,  for  she  says  she  is  in  heaven,  with  an- 
gels and  saints,  and  in  the  presence  of  her  Saviour. 
So  you  do  know."  Poor  woman,  she  was  caught  by 
her  own  showing,  and  put  to  silence.  Yet  in  a  few 
minutes  her  beamless  eye  sought  the  roof,  and  she 
was  repeating,  "  I  don't  know  where  she  is  gone  to." 
I  have  read  poetical  descriptions  of  similar  halluci- 
nations, but  never  met  with  such  before. 

When  we  had  arisen  to  depart,  after  a  long  visit, 
she  said  some  old  friends  had  forsaken  her,  because 
of  a  report  that  she  encouraged  the  Romanists  to 
come  about  her,  but  she  never  did.  She  could  not 
protect  herself  from  them.  Sisters  of  Mercy  had 
come,  and  after  them  a  lady,  who  gave  her  name, 
and  forced  a  book  upon  her  poor  girl,  who  would 
have  avoided  them,  and  was  disturbed  in  mind  by 
their  talk.     At  last,  one  day,  she  desired  this  lady 


866  THE   WIDOW. 


to  go  and  not  come  again.  A  considerable  time 
after  she  had  shut  the  door,  she  was  surprised  to 
find  her  still  lingering  on  the  stair,  and  asked  her 
why  she  stayed.  She  prolonged  talk,  and  still 
seemed  to  have  more  and  more  to  say,  and  by  and 
bye  the  secret  reason  for  her  stay  was  explained. 
She  had  made  an  appointment  with  the  priest,  who 
joined  them  on  the  staircase,  and  offered  to  see  the 
sick.  The  mother  "  honored  his  zeal,"  but  politely 
declined.  That  proposal  failing,  he  had  another. 
He  knew  of  a  medicine  that  he  was  sure  would  cure 
the  invalid.  She  had  a  regular  medical  attendant, 
and  did  not  require  to  trouble  his  reverence.  Ah, 
but  he  was  so  sure  of  the  efficacy  of  his  medicine,  if 
he  might  just  go  into  tlie  room^  and  write  the  pre- 
scription. The  mother  said,  if  he  was  so  sure,  he 
might  write  it  on  the  fly-leaf  of  the  lady's  book. 
This  he  did,  and  the  lady  undertook  to  procure  and 
pay  for  it.  It  was  to  cost  half-a-doUar.  Again  the 
priest  tried  to  enter  the  sick-room,  and  he  and  the 
lady  said,  if  the  girl  died  without  extreme  unction, 
she  would  burn  in  hell-fire  forever,  with  all  heretics. 
It  was  striking  to  mark,  as  indignation  took  the 
place  of  woe  in  the  widow's  heart,  how  her  attenuated 
and  bending  form,  returned  to  its  natural  height; 
how  her  voice  rose,  and  her  eyes  brightened  even  in 


THE  WIDOW.  857 


relating  their  conversatien.  The  dignity  of  becom- 
ing indignation  suddenly  kindled  her  whole  frame, 
and  you  could  scarcely  identify  the  drooping  crea- 
ture, dying  under  the  misery  of  eating  grief,  who 
had  but  just  risen  from  the  side  of  her  writing  table. 

'•  I  am  Protestant,"  she  said,  "  I  don't  believe 
in  what  you  say,  and  my  daughter  does  not  wish  for 
your  services."  "  Then  I  won't  get  her  this  medi- 
cine that  would  cure  her."  "  I  would  not  give  her 
anything  you  prescribe  till  I  saw  it  analyzed.  If  I 
ever  wish  for  you  I  will  send — ^for  the  present,  go 
away."  "  Then  I  will  call  again  to-morrow,"  said 
the  pertinacious  persecutor.  "  You  need  not — I 
will  not  admit  you ;"  and  so,  at  last,  the  pair  de- 
parted, having  done  what  they  could,  in  their  view, 
to  save  the  dying  girl  from  eternal  misery. 

How  unprotected  are  the  poor  from  these  bold 
impostors — and  how  unprotected  are  the  rich  from 
the  more  insidious  and  ensnaring  measures  which 
they  adopt  in  their  advances  to  them.  Their  perse- 
verance in  trying  to  compass  one  dying  proselyte, 
is  a  rebuke  to  the  more  supine  plans  of  Protes- 
tants. Yet  this  is  the  sect  against  which  Protestant 
America  can  see  no  cause  to  be  on  its  guard.  The 
planters  of  which  are  artists,  musicians,  teachers, 
domestics,  Sisters  of  Charity,  politicians,  who  un- 


858  THE   WIDOW. 


weariedly  put  in  their  seed  and  leave  it  to  grow 
while  we  are  asleep  in  erroneous  security. 

At  last,  then,  I  had  seen  a  really  poor  native. 
But  it  was  not  squalid — it  was  respectable  poverty 
— and  in  the  woe  of  a  wandering  mind,  independ- 
ence and  gratitude  were  visible.  She  uttered  no 
thanks  to  the  "  good  spirit"  who  paid  her  rent — ^but 
she  sent  the  silken  pillow  which  she  sewed  by  the 
couch  of  her  dying  child,  as  a  gift  to  the  "  good 
spirit's"  wife. 

We  went  a  few  days  after  to  try  to  procure  her  a 
room  in  the  Home  for  decayed  gentlewomen.  But 
we  failed  at  that  time,  though  very  desirous  to  break 
up  the  tribe  of  associations  with  that  chamber  and 
that  bed,  and  to  place  the  mourner  within  reach  of 
a  little  society,  if  by  any  means  the  sorrow  which 
preys  on  her  spirit  might  be  diverted. 

The  proper  name  of  the  Institution  I  allude  to, 
has  escaped  me,  and  that  is  not  to  be  regretted  as 
of  the  numerous  houses  we  visited,  whether  they 
were  philanthropic,  educational,  or  established  for 
purposes  of  State,  this  was  the  solitary  instance  in 
which  the  doors  were  not  cordially  thrown  open, 
the  economy  of  the  place  described,  and  reports 
offered.  Perhaps  the  Matron  was  new  and  un- 
accustomed to  her   office — or  perhaps  the   person 


THE  WIDOW.  859 


who  repulsed  us  was  a  bad  substitute  for  the 
Matron.  However  it  was,  it  gives  me  great  pleas- 
ure to  think  of  the  hearty  reception  afforded  to 
me,  a  stranger  without  a  claim,  in  every  place  with 
the  exception  of  this. 

We  were  told  the  number  of  inmates  was  made 

up  at  the  moment — and  poor  Mrs.  R was  left 

still  to  imagine  she  held  conferences  with^  R , 

though  she  "knew  not  where  she  was  gone  to." 


Wuhu  (Cnutttrti  BiBtrirtH* 

Travellers  who  pass  through  Virginia  and 
Maryland  tell  of  broken  fences,  unproductive  fields, 
crumbling  mills  and  dwellings,  and  the  most  unsight- 
ly and  melancholy  of  all  ruins — those  of  wooden 
houses.  It  is  not  easy  to  describe  or  to  account  for 
the  very  disagreeable  impression  produced  by  frame 
house  ruins.  In  an  ancient  stone  wall,  the  fallen 
part  makes  an  irregular  mound  on  which  vines  and 
mosses  grow,  while  that  which  stands  has  a  degree 
of  picturesque  beauty  in  its  decay.  But  if  the  ruins 
be  that  of  an  edifice  of  wood,  though  it  were  but  re- 
cently smart  with  its  correct  angles  and  bright  paint, 
it  is  ugly  in  decay,  having  none  of  the  dignity  of 
agedness  about  it.  You  may  find  one  long  line  of 
planks  prone  on  the  ground,  another  warped  and 
bending  here  out,  there  in,  with  ragged  and  broken 
boards  projecting,  while  the  roof  with  its  forked 
rafters  is  hanging  to  the  standing  wall  and  seems  to 
long  to  drag  it  down  to  that  which  is  already  pros- 


VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  361 

trate.  Mosses,  lichens,  mould,  nettles,  toad-stools — 
all  horrid  things  which  a  witch  might  cull  to  seethe 
in  her  caldron,  are  springing  up  around.  The  deso- 
late appearance  of  the  place  is  painful,  as  you  feel  a 
persuasion  that  the  quondam  inhabitants  also  are  in 
a  state  of  decay.  On  those  estates  where  human  in- 
genuity lies  prostrate  at  the  feet  of  cupidity,  where 
man  does  the  work  of  the  ox  and  the  ass,  and  where 
generation  after  generation,  the  spade  and  the  hoe 
have  without  variation  worked  the  same  earth,  the 
fertile  land  is  turned  into  barrenness.  It  becomes  so 
unproductive  as  not  to  pay  the  labor,  and  is  gradu- 
ally left  to  fall  out  of  cultivation  and  its  buildings 
to  drop  to  decay. 

"  What  a  mouldy  appearance  all  the  country  we 
traversed  this  week  has,"  I  heard  a  lady  say  inquir- 
ingly, after  her  return  from  the  South.  A  free 
thinker  could  have  explained  the  cause  of  the  mould, 
but  it  would  not  have  been  well  taken  to  act  the 
part  of  a/ree  speaker.  For  to  confess  truth,  broth- 
er Jonathan  is  not  so/ree  as  he  would  like  to  think 
himself  It  is  marvellous  to  see  him  at  the  North, 
smother  his  aspirations  and  whisper  his  thoughts  in 
subjection  to  the  South.  It  is  marvellous  to  see 
men  who  have  rid  themselves  of  dishonest  gains  and 
dishonoring  institutions,  submit  to  be  made  man- 


362  VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS. 

hunters  and  slave-catchers  in  theu"  own  free  homes. 
It  is  marvellous  to  hear  a  man  say  he  would  suffer 
the  penalty  of  the  law,  rather  than  ohey  the  sum- 
mons that  the  magistrate  is  entitled  to  give  him  to 
join  in  the  human  chase ;  but  yet  he  will  not  dare 
to  lift  his  voice  against  that  law.  He  places  him- 
self in  the  attitude  of  the  sufferer,  and  will  bear  fine 
and  imprisonment  rather  than  obey  a  law  which  op- 
presses his  conscience.  Is  he  in  truth,  and  honestly, 
a  martyr  to  conscience  here?  Would  he  be  en- 
croaching on  the  freedom  of  a  neighbor  State  were 
he  to  lift  up  his  voice  against  wrong  ?  Or  would 
he  not  rather  be  obeying  the  Scripture  rule  :  "  Thou 
shalt  in  any  wise  rebuke  thy  neighbor  and  not  suffer 
sin  upon  him,"  or  "  That  thou  bear  no  sin  for 
him." 

Let  us  turn  from  this  desolate  landscape,  and 
gladly  survey  a  new  scene  which  begins  to  open 
there.  Here  are  some  repaired  houses  and  fields 
again  fertile,  but  with  other  crops  than  those  they 
formerly  bore.  These  are  the  smiling  fruits  of  la- 
bor stimulated  by  proprietorship.  Look  at  that 
hearty  New  England  farmer  and  his  cheerful  family 
recently  settled  there.  See  the  soil  turned  with  the 
plough  instead  of  the  hoe,  its  furrows  reaching  to  a 
depth  untried  at  least  for  a  centurv-     Look  at  its 


VARIOUS   COUNTRY   DISTRICTS.  863 

luxurious  productions  of  fruits,  vegetables,  and  grain. 
Observe  that  field  covered  with  clover  which  will  be 
ploughed  in  presently  and  left  to  manure  the  ground 
where  it  grew.  Watch  the  waving  crops,  and  inspect 
the  early  vegetables,  which  borne  by  steam  to  north- 
ern markets,  will  bring  a  rich  return  to  the  laborer. 
He  has,  by  favor  of  climate,  produced  them  six 
weeks  sooner  than  they  can  be  grown  at  New  York, 
and  two  months  earlier  than  at  Boston.  Will  not 
such  proof  of  the  capabilities  of  a  soil  in  the  hand 
of  free  labor  enlighten  the  minds  of  those  who  have 
worn  it  out  and  forsaken  it,  under  the  cultivation 
of  the  slave  ?  Will  not  Virginia  look  to  her  moun- 
tain districts  held  by  free  men,  and  compare  or  con- 
trast them  with  her  lowlands  ?  Surely  the  time  is 
hastening  when  the  children  of  the  free  shall  hail  an- 
other and  another  State  freed  from  that  yoke  ;  a  yoke 
that  hangs  on  the  neck  of  the  slaveholder,  and  keeps 
his  mind  and  conscience  in  bondage.  Nay,  it  indu- 
ces him  to  lay  bonds  on  the  necks  of  his  free  neigh- 
bors. When  all  things  are  fairly  weighed,  it  ap- 
pears that  the  slaveholder  is  as  little  really  a  free- 
man as  is  the  slave.  His  system  violates  the  eter- 
nal principles  of  justice,  and  consequently  he  dare 
not  suffer  the  vicinity  of  the  free  negro,  however 
just  his  claim  to  be  there,  or  however  it  might  ad- 


364  VARIOUS   COUNTRY   DISTRICTS.- 

vantage  himself.  Such  an  exhibition  of  liberty 
might  spoil  his  gang.  He  dare  not  admit  the  in- 
structor, lest  the  aurora  of  knowledge  dawning  afar 
should  infuse  into  his  gang  some  idea  of  a  life  above 
that  of  the  passive  brute.  He  dare  not  indulge  even 
one  favorite  and  promising  colored  man  with  educa- 
tion, lest  his  skill  and  knowledge  should  make  the 
others  discontented.  The  freedom  of  the  press  can- 
not exist  where  he  is.  Rome  is  not  more  exact  in 
her  expurgated  lists  of  books  and  newspapers  than 
is  the  legislature  in  a  slave  State.  Nay,  he  must 
lord  it  over  free  States,  that  he  may  the  more  ea- 
sily keep  his  own  in  bondage.  Is  he  then  a  freeman, 
or  is  he  not  rather  the  slave  of  a  most  evil  and  un- 
happy sj/ stem? 

Should  a  young  lady  fcom  a  free  State,  without 
sufficient  knowledge  of  how  matters  stand,  become 
the  wife  of  a  Southerijer,  she,  poor  inexperienced 
child,  if  she  carry  conscience  and  humanity  with  her, 
may  be  alarmed  to  find  herself  called  upon  to  exer- 
cise the  offices  and  wisdom  of  age,  being  looked  up 
to  by  a  band  of  people  utterly  unused  to  confide  in 
themselves  and  each  other.  Though  a  colored  nurse 
watch  by  the  bed  of  the  sick  domestic  slave,  the 
lady  must  drop  the  medicine.  She  must  look  upon 
the  time-piece  for  the   moment  to    administer  it 


VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  365 

She,  though  at  midnight  or  early  morning  hours, 
may  be  awakened  to  give  the  potion.  She  must  not 
only  provide  clothes  for  her  numerous  family,  which 
has  no  provident  habit  because  it  is  untrusted,  but 
she  may  find  it  necessary  to  shape  them,  and  Ox 
the  seams  for  the  overgrown  children  who  can  with 
needle  and  thread  be  taught  to  fasten  them  together. 
Is  she  free '?  I  speak  not  of  her  moral,  but  of  her 
mere  physical  condition.  Does  she  not  discover 
that  she  has  married  into  bondage  ?  Some  of  the 
most  elegant,  refined,  intelligent,  princess-like  women 
that  I  have  met  with  in  the  United  States,  were 
such.  They  have  learnt  to  be  waited  upon,  to  have 
their  slightest  wish  attended  to,  and  withal,  because 
they,  with  woman's  nature,  are  pitiful  to  the  sick 
and  feeble,  they  have  exercised  much  benevolence. 
They  have,  mayhap,  endured  much  in  being  aware 
of  cruelties  which  they  had  not  power  to  mitigate. 
All  this  has  refined  their  characters — still  they  are 
not  Cornelias  and  Portias,  fit  mothers  for  the  sons 
of  a  republic  ;  they  are  refined  into  amiable  despots, 
and  fit  mothers  for  the  owners  of  slaves. 

But  the  mouldering  farms  of  Virginia  have  be- 
trayed me  into  the  subject  which  it  is  so  unavailing 
for  me  to  touch,  though  it  never  fails  to  oppress  my 
heart,  and  I  must  resume  my  journey. 


866       VARioua  country  districts. 

The  railway  which  runs  between  Albany  and  Buf- 
falo, though  it  passes  many  cities  that  were  already 
made  rich  by  possessing  means  of  carriage  on 
the  great  c£poial,  establishes  new  centres  .of  traffic, 
as  well  as  greatly  enhances  the  wealth  of  the  old 
ones.  Yet  in  some  parts  the  country  is  but  newly 
opened.  The  engineer  goes  forth  in  search  of  levels, 
not  of  fertility  or  beauty.  And  thus  he  has  crashed 
his  way  through  many  a  swamp  inhabited  by  doleful 
creatures,  and  many  a  forest,  untrodden  since  the 
Indian  hunter  has  faded  away  before  the  white  man. 

We  were  told  that  we  should  have  found  plains 
and  valleys  smiling  under  the  influence  of  skilful  in- 
dustry, if  we  had  travelled  by  the  high  road.  Yet 
it  is  only  fifty  years  since  that  road  was  slowly 
piercing  its  way  through  regions  as  unaccustomed  to 
man  as  those  more  recently  penetrated  by  the  iron 
path.  In  far  less  than  fifty  years  more,  those  un- 
sightly and  tangled  underwoods,  those  undrained 
marshes,  and  those  dreary  girdled  trees  and  black 
stumps,  will  disappear  from  the  track  of  the  rail- 
way— and  smoother  fields,  and  comfortable  dwellings, 
and  zigzag  fences  take  their  place.  These  fences  are 
the  reverse  of  pleasing  objects  in  the  landscape  ;  yet 
in  a  country  where  the  quantity  of  wood  to  be  cleared 
away  forms  the  difficulty,  it  is  a  wiser  plan  to  use 


VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  367 

the  dead  wood  in  forming  divisions,  than  it  would  be 
to  plant  other  shrubs  and  trees  for  fences.  The 
English  eye,  accustomed  to  polished  fields  cultivated 
for  centuries,  chequered  with  beautiful  hedgerows, 
finds  this  part  of  the  country  very  rough,  and  in 
every  part  misses  the  hawthorn.  But  the  circum- 
stances are  so  different  as  to  render  comparison  im- 
reasonable.  One  is  inclined  to  take  up  the  prophetic 
strain  of  which  the  American  is  accused,  and  say 
what  this  district  will  presently  become,  when  we  see 
what  it  is  even  already  in  its  difficult  and  rugged 
progress.  Here  you  see  a  brick-field,  with  two  or 
three  cottages  near  it.  A  little  farther  on  a  forge, 
and  by-and-bye  a  carpenter's  shop,  and,  in  a  position 
accessible  to  them  all,  though  by  deep  and  difficult 
footpaths,  a  store  partaking  the  character  of  the 
vUlage  shop  of  Scotland,  known  by  the  familiar  name 
of,  "  Willie  a'  things."  Everything  you  can  want  in 
a  rough  way  is  to  be  had  there,  from  cheese,  ham, 
needles,  nails,  tea,  hammers,  sugar  and  grindstones, 
down  to  spelling-books,  butter,  and  Bibles,  as  I  have 
seen  •■'  Willie's"  list  of  wares  mad€  out. 

Who  that  has  travelled  through  the  cultivated 
parts  of  New  York  or  New  Jersey,  or  that  has 
stood  on  the  summit  of  Mount  Holyoke  and  sur- 
veyed the  windings  of  the  Connecticut  river,  through 


868  VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS. 

a  valley  equal  in  fertility  and  agricultural  excel- 
lence to  the  lands  that  are  intertwined  with  the 
links  of  Forth,  can  fail  to  see  that  time  only  is 
wanting  to  bring  the  whole  of  the  country  into  the 
finest  bearing  condition.  The  climb  to  Mount 
Holyoke,  though  toilsome,  is  richly  rewarded  by 
the  view  obtained.  You  can  trace  the  limits  of 
snug  farms,  and  see  their  regularly  laid  out  ridges 
which  could  not  be  surpassed  for  accuracy  of  line 
in  a  Northumberland  or  Roxburghshire  ploughing- 
match, — ^you  can  count  their  convenient  farm-houses 
and  onsteads,  for  miles,  till  the  eye  is  weary,  and 
rest  it  on  the  pretty  spires  among  the  trees  that 
look  so  like  Old  England.  Everything  in  the 
Connecticut  valley  is  rich  and  regular.  The  land 
is  peopled  up  to  its  capabilities,  and  if  the  sharp 
frosts  and  scorching  suns  would  suffer  the  quickset 
hedge  to  grow,  and  that  feature  were  added  to  the 
landscape,  it  would  be  exactly  like  home.  We 
must,  however,  always  except  the  giant  style  of 
everything  American.  The  Forth  with  all  its 
lovely  links,  even  though  a  tide-river,  lies  but  like 
a  silver  thread  in  the  landscape,  compared  to  the 
Connecticut.  The  latter  river  has  proved  the 
weight  of  its  waters,  by  cutting  its  way  through  the 
neck  of  a  peninsula  around  which  it  had  flowed  fop 


VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  369 

centuries — so  that  at  last  it  has  possessed  itself  of 
a  picturesque  islet  in  its  bosom  consisting  of  several 
acres  of  the  richest  alluvial  soil  which  centuries  of 
river-laving  could  deposit.  The  contrast  between 
this  whole  district  and  some  parts  of  that  between 
Albany  and  Buffalo,  is  as  complete  as  can  be  be- 
tween the  smooth-polished  and  productive  and  the 
newly-possessed  and  wild. 

For  many  miles  the  nor-western  rail  runs  parallel 
with  the  Mohawk  River ;  the  valley  is  narrow  and 
occasionally  the  rocks  which  hem  it  in,  are  precipi- 
tous and  exhibit  some  rugged  grandeur — ^but  in  no 
place  is  it  so  narrow  as  to  exclude  its  three  remark- 
able features.  First,  the  Old  Mohawk,  which  has 
had  time  enough  to  cut  its  way  through  these  rocks 
since  the  waters  of  the  deluge  subsided.  Second, 
the  canal — a  Herculean  labor,  which  has  united 
Lake  Erie  with  the  Hudson  River  for  many  a  year, 
and  carried  many  a  white  boat  laden  with  produce 
down  to  the  river's  margin.  And  last,  the  iron  way, 
which  in  that  part  has  been  put  down  with  little 
trouble  of  blasting  rocks  or  raising  levels.  One 
skims  over  scores  of  miles  without  a  tunnel,  and 
with  only  here  and  there  a  bridge  over  some  moun- 
tain torrent  that  is  skipping  its  way  down  to  join 
the  waters  at  the  bottom  of  the  valley. 
24 


370  VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS. 

The  progress  of  the  canal-boats,  after  they  join 
the  Hudson,  has  been  much  accelerated  by  the  use 
of  steam-tugs.  Instead  of  tacking  about  and  creep- 
ing down  the  great  river,  they  make  a  steady  un- 
do viating  progress,  as  many  as  half  a  score  at  a  time. 
The  persevering  "  Walk-on-the- Water"  steamboat, 
like  the  hen  in  the  midst  of  her  brood,  plies  her  on- 
ward way.  They  may  be  many  and  cumbrous,  but 
she  is  the  mother  and  must  care  for  them  all.  They 
cover  half  an  acre  of  water,  hooked  on  two  or  three 
deep  on  each  side,  and  dropping  far  behind.  Many 
of  the  boats  with  three  tiers  or  galleries  of  various 
merchandise,  including  live  stock,  while  the  central 
mover  of  them  all  has  her  freight  of  goods  also, 
and  the  human  beings  who  tend  their  several  car- 
goes. 

There  is  not  a  finer  prospect  .in  the  world,  either 
in  a  picturesque  or  soical  point  of  view,  than  that  to 
be  obtained  from  the  heights  of  Mount  Hope,  in 
the  beautiful  district  which  bears  the  name  of  Hyde 
Park,  so  familiar  to  the  English  ear.  The  trees  there 
have  all  the  magnificence  of  ancient  forest  denizens 
— a  grandeur  which  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  crowd- 
ed and  tangled  wilder  forest.  The  swells  of  earth, 
the  abrupt  precipices,  the  Catskill  mountains  blue 
and  bounding  the  distant  horizon,  are  all  striking. 


VARIOUS   COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  371 

Then  the  Hudson,  appearing  in  long  reaches,  hiding 
itself  behind  the  noble  banks  and  again  coming 
forth  in  its  changeless  majesty — onward — onward ; 
seeming  to  have  but  one  object  in  its  persistent 
flow — namely,  to  reach  the  ocean — yet  all  the  while 
ministering  to  industry,  to  fertility,  and  to  com- 
merce. 

There  is  a  charm  never  to  be  forgotten,  found  on 
those  lovely  heights,  fanned  by  the  airs  and  scented 
by  the  roses  of  June,  while  the  eye  ranges  from  the 
grand  to  the  lovely, — ^ffom  the  beautiful  to  the  use- 
ful,— from  the  still  life  to  the  active.  The  lofty 
trees  waving  their  proud  branches  to  the  breeze,  and 
the  graceful  small  sail-boats  darting  about  like  sea- 
fowl  at  play  on  the  sparkling  wavelets,  contrast 
finely  with  the  business-like  progress  of  many  laden 
barques,  the  gay  passenger  steamers,  and  the  matron- 
ly looking  mother-boat  with  all  her  chickens  around 
her. 

What  a  beautiful  world  has  been  given  to  us  to 
dwell  in — ^beautiful  still,  in  spite  of  its  moral  de- 
formities. 

But  I  must  return  to  the  journey  on  the  railway, 
towards  Buffalo. 

We  paused  at  Herkimer,  and  there,  for  the  first 
time,  saw  an  Indian  woman  in  the  costume  of  her 


372  VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS. 

tribe.  She  was  an  Oneida,  equipped  in  dark  blue 
cloth  petticoat  and  moccasins,  a  blanket,  fastened 
with  a  kind  of  skewer,  where  the  Highland  brooch 
would  have  been  used  by  our  mountaineers.  Her 
massy  hair,  black,  till  towards  its  roots  it  assumed 
a  tinge  of  blue,  braided  and  fixed  up  with  a  bunch 
of  red  worsted  strings,  was  the  only  covering  of  her 
head.  At  the  first  glance  one  might  have  thought 
her  at  least  fifty,  as  she  hung  on  the  platform  of  the 
railway,  stretching  out  her  naked,  skinny  arm,  with 
a  small  store  of  Indian  purses,  needle-books,  and 
pin-cushions  for  sale.  She  dropjJed  into  the  inn 
after  us,  and  by-and-bye  we  found  her  standing,  tall, 
erect,  and  still  as  death,  behind  the  door  of  the  pub- 
lic room,  with  her  long  dark  arm  and  her  wares  ex- 
tended as  before.  Her  long,  yellow  teeth,  standing 
like  stakes  in  an  ill  filled-up  fence,  made  one  think 
of  dried  heads  of  New  Zealanders,  and  other  un- 
pleasant specimens  of  the  human  form  in  savage  life 
that  we  have  seen  in  the  museums  of  the  civilized. 
After  subduing  something  in  my  breast  that  might 
be  a  mixture  of  timidity  and  repugnance,  I  ven- 
tured to  speak  to  the  dismal  ghost,  and  found  her 
willing  to  communicate,  as  far  as  her  command  of 
my  language,  which  was  not  very  extensive,  enabled 
her.     When  her  features  relaxed  a  very  little  as  she 


VARIOUS   COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  873 

spoke,  twenty  years,  at  least,  seemed  taken  from  her 
age.  She  told  me  with  a  heavy  sigh,  that  her  peo- 
ple were  once  numerous,  their  hunters  fleet,  and  their 
warriors  brave.  But  they  were  now  weak  and  few, 
and  they  had  yielded  to  the  white  man  their  hunt- 
ing-grounds, and  gone  far  west.  I  suggested  that 
they  had  room  to  hunt  where  they  were  settled,  if 
they  did  not  find  it  best  to  plant  corn,  and  live  in 
houses,  and  adopt  the  habits  of  the  whites.  She 
said  they  had  adopted  them,  and  now  have  com,  and 
pumpkins,  and  horses,  and  ploughs,  and  sheep.  She 
said  a  few,  about  200,  still  lingered  here,  and  had  a 
village  not  far  off,  though  the  mass  of  the  tribe  are 
gone  to  the  west,  and  that  here  they  have  a  minister, 
and  schoolmaster,  and  can  read  and  write.  She  also 
showed  that  her  people  have  adopted  the  Christian 
creed,  and  that  she  was  tolerably  well-informed  in 
the  outline  of  Christianity.  While  I  spoke  to  her, 
she  had  sat  down  close  by  me,  but  as  soon  as  she 
perceived  that  our  curiosity  was  satisfied,  she  slipped 
away  with  a  noiseless  step. 

I  saw  in  and  beyond  that  district,  many  Indians, 
chiefly  Tuscaroras,  but  none  were  equipped  so  fully 
in  the  ancient  manner.  This  one  adopted  it,  I  sup- 
pose, as  a  flourishing  sign-board  is  used,  to  attract 
custom.     Some  who  were  travelling  by  rail  near  the 


874  VARIOUS   COUNTRY   DISTRICTS. 


beautiful  village  of  Canandaigua,  were  dressed  like 
other  people,  except  that  their  clothing  seemed  more 
voluminous  and  clumsy.  Some  that  we  saw  making 
purchases  in  the  stores  at  the  Niagara  village,  had 
caps  without  bonnets,  and  very  long  blue  cloth 
cloaks.  They  are  so  like  our  Scotch  border  gypsies, 
who  make  horn  spoons  and  sell  crockery,  that  I  felt 
as  if  I  might  have  hailed  Will  Fa'  or  Tibby  Doug- 
las, in  our  endeavors  to  educate  whose  wild-cat  look- 
ing offspring,  we  at  one  time  expended  some  energy. 
Who  can  say  if  they  are  not  of  the  same,  stock  of 
the  human  family  ?  The  style  of  figure,  the  hair, 
eyes,  and  skin,  give  indication  of  relationship,  while 
those,  who  like  Simon  in  America,  and  Borrow  in 
England,  have  penetrated  into  those  rites  and  habits 
about  which  they  are  reserved  with  strangers,  think 
they  can  trace  ceremonies  originating  -in  the  cere- 
monial law  of  Moses,  and  indications  that  they  must 
both  have  descended  from  some  one  of  the  lost  tribes 
of  Israel.  Who  can  solve  these  mysteries  till  the 
great  day  of  revealing  shall  come  ? 

The  poor  -Indian  !  He  shares  the  fate  too  com- 
mon to  the  aborigines.  As  the  civilized  settler  in- 
creases, he  decreases.  Many  a  deed  of  blood  have 
their  wrongs  wrought  them  up  to,  and  many  a  time 
have  they  been  made  the  ignorant  and  savage  tools 


VARIOUS  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS.  376 

of  the  wars  of  those  civilized  foes  who  ought  to  have 
known  better.  But  now  they  are  waning  away — 
and  wide  as  their  continent  is,  and  unpeopled  as  are 
millions  of  its  acres,  the  time  may  yet  come  when 
the  encroaching  white  man  may  wish  again  to  re- 
move them,  or  to  limit  the  territory  in  which  they 
are  now  located. 

Yet  even  in  their  reduced  state,  when  they  come 
to  treat  with  Congress,  they  go  through  their  ancient 
ceremonial  of  the  council  fire,  the  calumet,  &c.,  and 
assume  the  dignified  tone  and  figurative  speech  of 
their  ancestors.  I  heard  of  a  chief  quite  lately, 
whose  presence  at  Washington,  within  the  door  of 
the  hall  of  Congress,  was  indicated  to  the  chairman. 
He  stood  leaning  against  the  door-post  as  if  not 
quite  sure  of  his  place  and  reception,  but  on  receiv- 
ing a  courteous  message  from  his  "  Great  Father," 
inviting  him  to  take  a  seat,  he  cast  himself  upon  the 
floor,  saying,  "  I  will  embrace  the  bosom  of  my 
Mother  earth." 

Times  are  changed  with  them  now,  compared 
to  their  condition  even  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago 
fallen  as  they  then  were.  My  respected  friend,  Dr, 
Sprague,  with  whom  I  gladly  renewed  my  acquaint 
ance  at  Albany,  told  me  that  twenty-five  years  since 
as  he  travelled  with  two  ladies  on  the  way  to  Ni 


876         TAIUOUS  OOUKTRY  DlSTRIOIl. 

ngAra,  ii  largo  powurful  Indlttii  hailud  thulr  oar ri ago 
and  ordorud  liiiit  to  imrry  liin  piiok  for  hitii  to  Buffalo, 
llu  Iriud  to  oMoapo  Croiu  tliiH  burdon,  Huggtmting 
variuuMdtlDouliioN,  all  of  which  thu  Indian  put  aNidu, 
nMt orating  liiH  ordor,  whioh,  in  viow  of  tho  Indian'M 
fowling  pioutt,  wttMlliuUl)r  obuyod,  wu  xmvy  guuM«  with 
what  oniotions  of  •atinfaotion.  Tho  man  kopt  pooo 
witii,  and  HontotinioM  got  ahoad  of  tho  oarriago,  mo  a« 
to  tlnd  tinio  to  Mtop  and  iiiMpiru  hiniMolf  witli  a  fronh 
dowo  of  ilro-watur  by  tho  wa^.  At  tho  ond  of  tho 
Journoy  ho  ntood  roady  to  rooovor  his  goods,  whioh 
ho  did  with  Mniall  indication  of  tluuika. 

liull'alo  liaH  boon  waxing,  whilo  Indiana  hnvtt  been 
waning.  Tho  Nolitary  inn  whoru  Dr.  Spraguo  got 
rid  of  bin  inipoMod  bunion  aihl  tlimryr.'n  .  C.  ll.w 
travoUor,  in  now  lont  amid  ti  <  i<>\v<l  <>i  .in  m  lioi,  l,<, 
ohuruhoH,  bankM,  dock*,  aud  ovory  applianoo  that 
oonnnoroo  nMjuiroM,  Whil«^  Hk  I.ilvi  wlii.  It  n  imI  In 
form  tlui  barrior  to  fnrtlioi  |>i.';i,  ...  r,  (Iik.u.mmI 
by  hugo  Htoamora  ikroo  storioH  high,  whioh  aro 
orowdod  ultli  < migrants,  and  tlieir  goodn,  morohantH, 
and  tluMi  iun«  iiandimo,  Mid  wiUi  all  tho  produou  of 
tliu  oountry. 


Eailiuap. 

The  railway  ruriH  tlirough  the  stroctH  of  many 
cities  in  the  United  States,  it  being  always  taken 
for  granted,  that  the  lieges  can  take  care  of  them- 
selves. In  Germany  the  Grand  Dukes  treat  their 
subjects  like  infants,  and  keep  them  locked  within 
palings  till  the  train  is  ready  to  start,  lest  they 
should  hurt  tliomaelvos.  In -England  various  offi- 
cers are  at  hand  to  warn  you  off  the  rails  and 
guide  your  erring  feet,  and  yet  ever  and  anon  one 
hears  of  accident.  In  America  a  printed  placard 
at  all  the  crossings  tolls  you,  "  Look  out  for  the 
locomotive  when  the  bell  rings,"  and  leaves  you  to 
be  your  own  guardian,  and  that  kind  of  oare  answers 
the  purpose  as  well. 

The  superior  comfort  of  an  American  railway 
carriage  will  hardly  bo  believed  by  persons  whose 
dignity  or  respectability  demand  first,  second,  and 
third  class  carriages.  Nevertheless,  it  is  perfectly 
true.     Their  construction  with  a  passage  down  the 


378  RAILWAYS. 


centre  of  each  carriage,  which  is  long  enough  to  con- 
tain twenty-five  or  thirty  persons  on  each  side,  ena- 
bles the  conductor  to  pass  up  and  down.  They  are 
so  made  that  he  or  passengers  can  pass  from  one 
carriage  to  another  while  the  train  is  in  motion.  A 
cord  also  passes  along  their  roofs,  attached  to  a  bell, 
which  will  summon  him  from  whatever  car  he  may 
be  in.  Thus  no  unpleasant  circumstance  need  be 
endured  for  a  moment.  It  would  be  impossible  for 
a  gentleman  to  get  himself  pommelled  by  a  flighty 
man  waking  and  fancying  that  his  single  fellow- 
traveller  wished  to  mesmerize  him,  as  lately  hap- 
pened in  one  of  our  first  class  carriages.  In  his 
case  there  was  no  remedy ;  he  must  either  fight  or 
be  beaten  black  and  blue  till  they  reached  a  station. 
If  he  had  had  fifty  companions  and  the  bell-rope  to 
boot  he  would  have  been  perfectly  safe. 

But  say  they  who  are  accustomed  to  the  strict 
social  subdivisions  of  old  monarchies,  how  do  you  do 
with  the  workmen,  and  the  serving  damsels,  and  all 
the  class  of  people  that  you  don't  associate  with  in 
the  house?  Why  we  do  very  well.  That  is  the 
curiosity  of  it.  Politeness,  if  it  do  not  soar  to  the 
height  of  refinement  that  it  does  in  courts,  never 
sinks  down  to  rudeness  or  brutality  in  the  United 
States.      Everybody  understands   that   everybody 


RAILWAYS.  379 


has  rights.  The  "great"  are  more  careful  not  to 
offend  the  "  little,"  so  that  I  never  once  heard  a 
haughty  word  to  an  inferior ;  and  the  "  little," 
knowing  that  they  are  in  no  danger  of  being  en- 
croached on  by  the  "  great,"  in  their  turn  commit 
no  unpleasant  encroachment.  People  fall  naturally 
into  a  classified  state,  so  that  a  whole  car  may 
readily  be  filled  with  mechanics  and  their  peers. 
Should  two  or  three  refined  people  enter  it,  they 
will  find  nothing  to  offend  them.  And  I  have 
travelled  for  hours  near  a  knot  of  workmen,  or  an 
Irishwoman  with  her  bundle,  or  a  mechanic's  wife 
with  her  baby,  and  felt  interested  in  observing  the 
propriety  of  their  manners.  I  just  once  saw  a  train 
stopt,  and  a  man  turned  out  to  shift  for  himself  on 
a  road  deep  with  mire.  Not  because  he  had  mis- 
behaved, for  he  sat  as  dull,  and  heavy  as  strong 
drink  could  make  him,  but  because  he  had  no 
money  to  pay  his  fare.  He  did  not  seem  to  excite 
the  compassion  of  any  one,  and  not  a  word  above  a 
whisper,  was  uttered  by  the  ejected  man  or  the  con- 
ductor. 

In  roads  which  have  many  branches,  you  receive 
a  check  for  each  article  of  baggage.  The  baggage- 
master,  with  a  badge  on  his  hat,  passes  through  the 
whole   train  frequently  in  course  of  the  journey. 


380  RAILWAYS. 

The  traveller  gives  him  his  checks  ;  and  at  the  sta- 
tion where  he  is  to  stay,  his  baggage  being  prepared, 
is  popped  on  the  platform  as  quickly  as  he  can  step 
out  himself,  and  the  train  is  off  again.  In  some 
trains  a  telegraph  youth  enters  and  inquires,  "  Any 
messages  to  New  York  1  Any  umbrellas  or  shawls 
left  at  Baltimore?  Will  telegraph  for  you  with 
pleasure,"  and  this  he  will  do  at  the  rate  of  eighteen- 
pence,  for  what  in  England  would  cost  half  a  guinea. 
Boys  with  candies,  fruits,  ready-cracked  butter- 
nuts, pop-corn,  books,  pamphlets,  railway  guides  and 
newspapers  pass  through  the  cars  at  all  stopping 
stations,  but  these  have,  I  think,  been  voted  a 
nuisance  to  be  abated, 

A  lady  may  travel  thousands  of  miles,  and  be 
sure  of  courtesy,  from  every  one.  I  have  found  a 
gentleman  alight,  and  hand  you  out,  and  inquire 
about  your  baggage,  with  whom  your  only  previous 
intercourse  has  been  an  inquiry  if  the  next  station 
was  that  you  wished  to  alight  at.  I  heard  a  mother 
say,  she  got  along  better  with  her  three  children, 
without  her  husband,  than  she  should  have  done 
with  him,  for  when  people  saw  she  was  alone,  every 
one  helped  her.  That  gentlemen  purchased  cakes 
to  feed  the  children,  and  amused  them  very  kindly, 
&c. 


RAILWAYS.  381 


The  Conductor  in  passing  through  the  carriages 
collects  the  tickets,  to  avoid  delay  at  the  journey's 
end.  How  impatient  is  the  traveller  in  England, 
when,  after  a  long  day's  journey,  he  sits  within  a 
bow-shot  of  the  platform,  while  the  guard  pops  his 
head  into  carriage  after  carriage  with  his  "  Tickets, 
please,"  or  "  Please  to  show  your  ticket" — and  how 
impatient  the  friends  waiting  on  the  platform,  who 
look  upon  the  carriages  and  cannot  reach  them.  And 
what  a  fever  is  he  in  who  wants  to  proceed  by  the 
next  train,  but  by  wasting  the  quarter  of  an  hour 
devoted  to  ticket-gathering,  loses  his  transit.  We 
have  all  seen  this  occur  in  busy, "  mail-accelerating" 
England.     It  cannot  occur  in  America. 

The  general  cleanliness  of  the  whole  country  is 
not  departed  from  in  the  travelling  conveyances. 
The  comfortable  appendage  of  the  stove  has  not 
introduced  any  appearance  of  smoke,  and  the  cush- 
ions, floors,  and  numerous  windows  are  kept  scrupu- 
lously neat.  Every  car  has  blinds  for  summer,  and 
a  stove  in  the  centre  for  cold  weather.  Each  velvet- 
cushioned  seat  has  a  movable  back,  so  that  four  can 
turn  face  to  face,  or  you  may,  by  turning  the  back, 
be  alone  with  one  companion.  Many  cars  have  a 
saloon  at  one  end,  where  ladies  retire  to  nurse  their 
babes,  and  where  you  may  take  a  nap  on  a  long  sofa. 


382  RAILWAYS. 


In  such  a  dressing-room  I  had  been  kindlj  packed 
by  my  friends  and  had  dropped  asleep,  when  a  change 
in  the  noise  made  by  the  carriages  awaked  me.  It 
was  a  pale,  misty  'moonlight,  past  two,  A.M.  I 
roused  myself  to  look  out,  and  saw  water  expanded 
as  far  as  my  eye  could  penetrate.  Were  we  on  the 
shore  of  the  sea  ?  I  went  to  the  other  side.  It 
was  water  still — ^not  shoreless  ocean,  indeed,  but 
still  we  were  in  the  midst  of  water.  I  had  not 
studied  the  map — no  one  had  told  me  that  the  rails 
had  been  laid  across  two  inlets  of  the  Chesapeake 
Bay,  in  preference  to  laying  them  round  it.  So 
there  I  stood  in  mute  surprise.  These  people  are 
like  the  "  Ancient  Mariner,"  thought  I — 

"  Tramp,  tramp  across  the  land  we  go, 
Splash,  splash  across  the  sea." 

Presently,  howeverj  we  had  passed  the  open  piles, 
which  sustain  the  rails,  and  leave  the  shallow  tides 
to  ebb  and  flow  amongst  them  at  will,  and  were 
again  booming  along  on  solid  ground — and  then  I 
went  to  sleep  again,  till  roused  to  enter  a  huge 
steamer  which  meets  the  rail  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Susquehanna — and  a  busy  crossing  was  made  of  it. 
From  the  dimly-lighted  carriage  we  found  our- 
selves transported  into  a  floating  hotel,  where  cooks 


RAILWAYS.  383 


were  frying  bacon  and  eggs,  and  steaks  broiling  and 
sputtering,  ladies  pacifying  sleepy  children,  and  maids 
running  with  smoking  tea  and  coffee.  In  a  few  min- 
utes it  was  changed,  as  in  a  dissolving  view.  Cooking, 
eating,  running  about,  had  passed  away,  and  we  were 
sweeping  along  the  rails  in  the  dull  moonlight  as 
before,  trying  again  to  coax  ourselves  to  sleep. 


We  frequently  hear  of  colonies  of  settlers  from 
the  same  country  who  have  congregated  together, 
and  are  long  of  acquiring  the  language  and  habits 
of  their  new  home.  Welch,  German,  Swedish, 
French,  and  Dutch,  are  to  be  found  so  united,  and 
lately  Portuguese  also.  The  little  band  of  Chris- 
tians persecuted  from  Madeira  by  Popery  fled  from 
dungeons  and  pelting  with  stones,  first  to  the  Island 
of  Trinidad,  but  not  finding  room  there,  they  have 
finally  settled  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  Their  native 
tongue,  in  which  they  read  the  Bible  and  are  ad- 
dressed by  their  pastors,  forms  a  strong  bond  of 
union,  which  in  the  meantime  deprives  them  of  the 
advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  rapid  acquisition 
of  the  language  which  must  ultimately  become  that 
of  their  children.  Yet  difl&cult  as  the  English  lan- 
guage confessedly  is,  I  have  heard  an  unlettered 
German  speak  it  so  well,  that  if  he  had  not  told  me 
so,  I  should  not  have  suspected  he  had  only  left  his 


A  HILL  COUNTRY. 


native  land  eleven  years  since.  With  the  Dutch 
there  is  long  a  difl&culty  in  mastering  the  th^  and  t, 
which  they  pronounce  as  c?, — this  may  be  observed 
even  in  their  children. 

We  passed  some  very  pleasant  days  in  a  settle- 
ment among  the  mountains,  where  Dutch  customs 
are  still  cherished  by  those  whose  hearts  never  knew 
home-sickness,  and  who  foster  no  secret  longings 
after  the  land  of  their  forefathers.  Amongst  the 
sires  of  these  thriving  families,  we  found  aged  peo- 
ple, whose  eyes  glistened  when  a  pastor  of  our  com- 
pany addressed  them  in  Dutch.  But  they  had  left 
home  in  childhood,  and  time  in  its  ceaseless  and 
busy  flow  had  swept  away  the  memories  and  broken 
the  ties  which  once  were  strong  and  deep ;  their 
hearts  and  homes  are  now  here  among  the  Mohawk 
mountains,  and  here  they  desire  to  rest  their  remains. 

They  are  a  homely,  honest  people  ;  industrious, 
but,  I  should  say,  not  laborious.  The  people  of  our 
country,  I  conjecture,  mingle  more  of  the  sweat  of 
their  brow  with  their  bread  than  these  do. 

We  found  them  the  same  in  manner  in  their  own 
farm-houses  that  they  were  in  the  mansion,  when 
business  called  them  there.  It  was  a  new  sight  to 
us  to  observe  the  tenant  stand  covered  in  the  saloon 
of  the  landlord,  amid  a  circle  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
23 


886  A  HILL  COUNTRY. 

men,  conversing  with  tranquil  good  sense  and  pro- 
priety, with  no  perceptible  consciousness  of  any  dis- 
tinction of  rank. 

Self-possessed,  quiet  independence  of  manner, 
seems  common  to  all  ranks.  No  one  looks  bold  or 
forward,  for  every  one  is  doing  what  it  becomes  him 
in  his  position  to  do.  One  never  sees  the  supercil- 
ious stare  of  inquiry  which  seems  to  ask,  "  Who  are 
you?"  "Do  you  belong  to  our  set?"  "  Are  you 
one  of  us?"  American  deportment,  between  per- 
sons of  different  ranks,  derives,  from  its  republican 
institutions,  a  healthy  freedom,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  wholesome  restraint.  There  is  no  order  of 
things  more  calculated  to  give  native  character  fair 
play,  and  native  dignity  its  due  weight. 

I  never  saw  this  exemplified  more  to  my  taste 
than  in  the  mistress  of  a  large  dairy  in  one  of  these 
mountain  farms.  She  was  tall,  thin,  and  rather  deli- 
cate in  appearance,  yet  she  managed  all  the  skilful 
parts  of  the  work  with  her  own  hands.  We  saw 
many  cheeses  as  large  as  those  which  now  come  to 
England  in  wooden  cases.  On  wonder  being  ex- 
pressed how  she  could  manage  such  huge  and  heavy 
cheeses,  she  put  on  her  apron,  and  with  as  much 
courtesy  as  a  Countess  might  employ  in  showing  her 
cabinet  or  her  hot-house,  she  went  round  the  great 


A   HILL  COUNTRY.  887 

boiler  and  showed  the  machine  which  poured  in  the 
milk  to  be  heated.  Then  we  saw  that  which  drew 
it  off  into  the  tub  when  hot,  and  also  how  it  was 
coagulated,  and  afterwards  worked  into  curd  and 
pressed.  She  explained  the  process  with  precision 
in  very  melodious  and  complaisant  tones,  closing  her 
exhibition  in  the  cheese-room,  with  such  grace  and 
good-will,  that  she  would  hardly  accept  our  acknowl- 
edgments or  expressions  of  gratification.  She  was 
happy  to  have  been  able  to  gratify  us.  Having 
finished  her  round,  she  folded  her  apron,  laid  it  in 
its  place,  and  led  us  out  with  the  air  of  an  amiable 
and  obliging  gentlewoman. 

There  was  much  "  rural  felicity"  enjoyed  in  that 
hill  country,  more  pleasant  in  memory  than  capable 
of  being  conveyed  by  description.  One  may  tell 
of  the  exploits  performed  in  a  long  wagon,  its  bot- 
tom formed  of  loose  planks,  with  a  temporary  frame 
laid  on  to  hedge  in  the  travellers.  The  amazing 
quantity  of  light  chairs  it  could  contain  according 
to  the  number  of  sitters — with  the  children  nestled 
in  the  straw  at  our  feet.  But  who  can  convey  the 
light-hearted  merriment,  the  wit,  the  anecdote,  and 
specially  the  peals  of  laughter  when  jerks  in  the 
road  jumbled  us  all  against  each  other.  The  diver- 
sion was  indescribable,  when  one  of  the  foreigners, 


388  A  HILL   COUNTRY. 

ill-informed  as  to  the  construction  of  the  conveyance, 
fancied,  as  she  felt  a  loose  plank  occasionally  rise  and 
fall,  yielding  to  the  inequalities  of  the  road,  that  a 
great  boa  constrictor,  or  some  such  comfortable  con- 
sociate,  was  nestled  in  the  straw  and  about  to  awaken. 

Having  left  the  carriages  of  the  city,  and  the 
steamboats  and  railways  of  the  low  countries,  we 
seemed  also  to  have  left  the  dread  of  bumps  and 
bruises,  and  our  city  gravity  behind  us. 

The  object  of  one  of  these  novel  journeys  was  to 
visit  a  farmer  and  his  family  a  few  miles  off.  "We 
found  the  house  snug  and  comfortable,  the  rooms 
opening  into  each  other,  and  a  large  centre-stove 
which  did  duty  on  both  sides  of  the  wall ;  having 
the  chief  part  of  the  cooking  apparatus  on  the  kitch- 
en side,  and  one  or  two  places  where  pans  or  dishes 
might  be  placed  on  the  side  of  the  parlor.  They 
are  a  sober-minded,  Christian  people.  The  great 
enjoyment  of  the  large  and  blooming  family  in  win- 
ter, is  the  practice  of  sacred  music.  The  father,  a 
man  of  a  very  beautiful  countenance  and  good  mu- 
sical powers,  teaches  the  young  people  and  also  leads 
the  singing  in  the  rustic  church.  After  our  arrival 
in  the  evening,  we  had  a  meeting  for  prayer  attended 
by  other  families  within  reach.  And  then  a  tea — 
such  a  tea !  for  variety  and  ingenuity  in  cake-making, 


A  HILL  COUNTRY.  389 

and  "  sass"  as  the  Dutch  call  sweetmeats,  and  all 
good  things  as  one  may  never  see  again  except  in 
the  eye  of  memory.  The  table  groaned  under  its 
load,  and  it  must  be  confessed  that  a  lively  party  of 
upwards  of  a  dozen  did  their  very  best  to  relieve  it 
of  its  groans.  Our  talk  was  of  markets,  and  stock, 
and  such  country  matters ;  of  the  minister  whom 
they  longed  to  procure  to  occupy  the  place  left  va- 
cant by  one  who  had  gone  to  a  secular  occupation  to 
find  a  richer  pasture  for  his  family.  They  reckoned 
the  district  poor,  and  not  able  to  sustain  a  minister ; 
though  judging  by  the  many  comforts  and  the  air 
of  plenty  in  all  around  us,  it  is  probable  the  congrega- 
tion needed  some  enlightenment  on  that  subject.  If 
spiritual  wants  had  come  as  keenly  upon  their  minds, 
as  the  necessities  of  the  body  do,  they  could  have 
found  a  way  to  make  a  minister  as  comfortable  as^ 
they  are  themselves.  They  are  the  sort  of  people 
who  don't  much  relish  parting  with  money,  but  who 
for  all  that,  might  come  out  very  liberally  on  occa- 
sion of  a  "  bee,"  and  feel  both  pride  and  pleasure  in 
opening  their  hands  lavishly  when  the  gift  is  one  of 
their  own  devising.  They  were  computing  how 
many  dollars  each  family  within  range  of  their  little 
church  might  subscribe,  and  feeling  painfully  the 
want  of  a  Pastor. 


390  A  HILL   COUNTRY. 

We  made  our  way  on  the  Sabbath  to  the  said 
church,  a  member  of  our  party  officiating.  Some 
walked ;  those  who  were  most  taken  care  of  jour- 
neyed in  a  kind  of  large  open  chaise,  and  the  rest 
were  seated  on  chairs  in  the  customary  wagon. 
We  found  the  small  edifice  on  the  summit  of  a  knoll, 
green  sward  all  around  it,  and  no  path  in  particular 
through  the  field  or  two  nearest  it.  It  was  neatly 
painted  and  clean-looking  according  to  the  custom 
of  the  country,  and  filled  with  thriving  families  who 
did  lift  up  the  voice  of  praise  with  all  their  might. 
They  looked  intelligently  attentive,  and  were,  I  doubt 
not,  very  glad  to  have  their  closed  place  of  worship 
opened  once  more. 

There  is  a  great  difference  between  the  aspect  of 
the  citizen  and  the  countryman.  In  this  fine  airy 
region,  where  the  thermometer  does  not  rise  in  the 
height  of  summer  to  those  prostrating  fever  heats  to 
which  it  does  in  the  cities,  the  people  have  enough 
of  flesh  on  their  bones,  and  roses  on  their  cheeks, 
and  have  an  air  of  mental  repose  along  with  good 
sense,  good  temper,  and  sufficient  bodily  activity. 
In  the  cities,  it  is  almost  distressing  to  look  on  the 
sharp  thin  faces  traced  too  clearly  with  lines  of  care. 
If  you  walk  up  streets  down  which  the  merchants 
come  at  morning  to  their  offices,  you  may  meet  a  few 


A  HILL   COUNTRY.  391 

easy  loungers  enjoying  their  cigars,  but  the  chief 
part  are  looking  keenly  before  them  at — nothing. 
Their  eyes  are  wide  open,  but  what  they  see  is  some 
vessel  due  but  not  heard  of;  some  venture  to  San 
Francisco,  the  supercargo  of  which  they  begin  to 
suspect ;  some  speculation  to  South  America  or 
China  about  which  they  are  anxious  ;  some  bill  to  be 
protested ;  some  bad  debt  to  be  pursued.  Merchants 
pay  heavily  for  their  wealth.  It  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at  that  a  villa  in  the  country  should  be  the 
great  object  in  their  distant  vista.  Nor  much  to  be 
wondered  at,  that  when  it  is  gained,  they  have  not 
the  habits  which  enable  them  to  relish  it  entirely. 

Such  is  life  !  We  pursue  objects,  and  when  gained 
we  find  them  but  shadows.  We  are  ourselves  shad- 
ows, and  quickly  shall  have  left  our  place  to  others. 

When  in  the  low  country  we  much  enjoyed  the, 
to  us,  novel  sounds  and  sights  of  a  warm  climate. 
The  fire-flies  gleaming  out  on  all  sides  during  the 
evening  walk — now  in  the  grass  and  again  at  a  small 
height  in  the  trees,  about  the  bushes  and  among  the 
hay-cocks,  the  whole  air  seemed  luminous  with  their 
tiny,  darting  lights.  The  frogs — the  little  nimble, 
almost  insect-like  tree-frog,  and  the  large  still  water- 
frog. 

I  remember  the  frog's  pond  of  my  childhood,  whea 


392  A  HILL  COUNTRY. 

life  and  the  season  alike  were  in  their  spring,  and 
everything  was  a  source  of  delight  or  wonder,  but  I 
never  heard  tones  so  deep  and  ground-shaking  as  in 
the  ponds  of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey.  The  katy- 
dids, too,  were  a  perfect  novelty.  I  never  learned  ex- 
actly of  what  species  the  mysterious  disputants  are, 
and  supposed  them  at  first  to  be  talking-birds.  I 
have  since  been  told  they  are  insects,  and  the  dispute 
is  carried  on  by  the  sound  of  their  wings.  The 
legend  is,  however,  that  Katy  is  accused  of  breaking 
the  bottle,  and  the  controversy  about  it  begins  at 
dusk.  "  Katy-did,"  in  a  shrill  tone—"  Katy-didn't," 
in  bass.  "  Katy-did"— «  Katy-didn't."  Two  such 
pertinacious  controversialists  had  their  home  in  two 
fine  old  trees  in  the  front  of  a  mansion,  whose  exter- 
nal beauties  and  internal  hospitalities  formed  an  en- 
chanting retreat.  Often  in  daylight  I  tried  to  find 
something  in  those  trees  that  might  be  owner  of 
such  power  and  pertinacity  of  voice,  but  without 
success.  They  again  proved  their  residence,  how- 
ever, by  sunset,  and  all  night  long  the  discussion 
endured.  Be  awake  at  what  hour  you  might,  they 
were  at  it.  And  one  was  ready  to  cry  out,  "  No 
matter  whether  she  did,  or  she  didn't,  would  you 
but  be  quiet."  I  unfortunately  never  happened  to 
hear  either  the  whip-poor-will  or  the  nightingale, 


A  HILL  COUIS-TRY.  393 

though  both  haunt  those  sunny  glades  and  beauti- 
fully indented  shores,  so  replete  with  all  that  charms 
the  senses.  They  have  also  the  humming-bird, 
though  I  never  met  with  one  except  under  a  glass 
shade. 

These  were  the  beautiful  and  sylvan  delights  of 
the  lands  nearer  the  sea-shore.  But  the  mountain 
region,  with  which  I  began  my  chapter,  had  in  store 
for  us  a  scene  grand,  as  well  as  beautiful,  giving  an 
impression  of  a  snow-storm,  which  left  any  expe- 
riences of  heavy  falls  of  snow  in  the  Lammermoors 
far  behind.  When  it  rains  in  the  States,  it  does 
rain,  and  "  no  mistake,"  No  Scotch  mist,  or  hesita- 
ting shower.  And  when  "  frost  has  turned  the  rain 
to  snow,"  it  comes  down  in  the  same  fashion — it  is 
quite  in  earnest. 

We  arose  under  a  beaming  winter  sun  among  the 
hills  of  the  Mohawk.  But,  as  swift  as  sudden  mis- 
fortune rolled  the  black  clouds  over  the  distant 
mountains,  gathered  over  our  dwelling,  and  burst  in 
a  whirlwind  of  flakes,  which  wrapped  earth's  green 
bosom  in  her  shroud  in  ten  minutes.  Between  gusts, 
when  we  could  penetrate  the  hurtling  air,  it  was 
strange  to  see  the  whirling  pillars,  at  small  removes 
from  each  other,  which  seemed  to  descend  for  many 
feet,  apart  from  each  other,  and  reminded  one  of  the 


394  A  HILL  COUNTRY. 

description  of  dreary  pillars  of  sand  in  the  AraHan 
Desert.  Then  a  fresh  swell  of  the  gale  jumbled  all 
together  again,  and  the  thickness  could  not  be  pen- 
etrated beyond  a  few  inches.  After  two  or  three 
hours  of  this,  the  clouds  rolled  off,  and  we  looked 
forth  on  a  wonder  of  tranquil,  cold  beauty.  Every 
tree,  fence,  and  house  in  sight  was  clothed  minutely 
with  a  hard  battered-on  covering  of  snow  on  the 
windward  side,  while  the  side  unexposed  to  the  blast 
seemed  quite  unconscious  of  the  storm.  I  thought 
if  half  of  this  had  happened  in  the  slower,  duller 
snow-storms  of  my  country,  the  shepherds,  and  all 
the  men  around,  folded  in  plaids,  with  straw  ropes 
about  their  legs,  and  hats  or  blue  bonnets  tied  down, 
would  have  been  laboring  to  drive  the  "  silly  sheep" 
to  the  windy  side  of  the  hill,  to  preserve  them  from 
being  buried  up  in  snow-wreaths.  And  so  it  might 
be,  there  and  then.  But  every  one  took  it  so  easily 
that  there  seemed  no  alarm  about  it. 

One  of  the  richest  sunsets  I  ever  saw,  except 
amongst  the  Alps,  succeeded  this  sudden  bluster  of 
elements,  when  a  wide  expanse  of  lovely  clouds,  rosy 
themselves,  tinged  every  tree  and  hill-top  in  their 
own  beautiful  dyes. 

Next  morning  it  seemed  as  if  a  necromancer  must 
have  busied  himself  during  our  sleeping  hours,  in 


A  HILL  COUNTRY.  895 


unshrouding  the  extensive  country  within  our  view. 
The  snow  was  gone — and  except  a  patch  here  and 
there  in  a  northern  hollow,  had  left  no  sign. 

When  we  descended  to  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk, 
however,  we  found  traces  wide  and  deep,  in  the  flow- 
ing waters  which  rushed  down,  not  only  in  their 
proper  beds,  but  in  what  many  a  farmer  must  have 
thought  very  improper  ones.  Fields  were  flooded 
for  miles.  Houses  which  yesterday  had  solid  roads 
leading  to  them,  were  standing  damp  and  dreary 
islands  in  the  waste.  Clumps  of  trees  were  knee 
deep  in  water.  Here  stood  a  patient  cow  in  close 
and  unwonted  company  of  a  pair  of  wild  colts. 
There  a  lonely  horse,  holding  up  its  limbs  turn- 
about, on  an  islet  of  grass.  Men  with  carts  were 
trying  their  way  to  reach  the  hay-stacks,  and  boys, 
more  bravely,  were  sculling  about  broad,  awkward- 
looking  boats,  among  the  sheaves  of  Indian  com, 
picking  up  the  floating  pumpkins — the  only  things 
in  the  landscape,  which  with  their  larg«  golden  disks, 
did  not  seem  annoyed  and  discomforted. 

The  Mohawk  itself  poured  down  ;  that  part  of  its 
waters  which  made  its  way  under  the  bridges  threat- 
ening to  bear  them  off"  in  triumph  on  its  buoyant 
flood.  The  bridges  are  of  wood,  substantially  built, 
and  many  covered  in,  like  those  of  Switzerland,  but 


S96  A  HILL  COUNTRY. 


without  the  pictures  of  saints  which  adorn  their 
more  ancient  and  popish  prototypes. 

The  railroad  held  its  way  on  a  causeway,  which 
in  various  places  is  not  high  enough  to  escape  being 
overflowed. 

Thus  was  swept  off  our  hurricane  of  snow.  Like 
many  a  storm  in  the  moral  world — which  is  as  dark 
and  disturbing — in  two  days,  the  subsiding  waters 
had  carried  it  all  away. 


BunnBrs  ani  (Cu3tnin3. 

Americans  tell  ridiculous  stories  of  trwks  of  lib- 
erty that  were  played  when  the  Republic  was  young, 
which  could  not  last  after  they  settled  down  into 
business-like  sobriety,  and  can  be  only  accounted 
for  on  the  supposition  that  brother  Jonathan  felt  as 
giddy  as  sailors  do  after  a  long  voyage.  Resem- 
bling a  few  merry  fellows  whom  I  saw  on  first  tread- 
ing the  shore  again  at  Holy  Island  advance  up  to 
the  town  by  a  game  of  leap-frog— a  school-boy  prank 
which  they  would  soon  get  tired  of 

A  gentleman  told  me  that  he  was  leaning  on  the 
rail  of  a  piazza  at  Saratoga,  when  President  Jeffer- 
son, I  think,  with  the  Countess  of  Westmoreland 
leaning  on  his  arm,  was  walking  in  the  Saloon. 
Two  dizzy  democrats  oflFered  a  dollar  to  a  dirty,  rag- 
ged fellow  if  he  would  go  in,  say  how  do  you  do  ?  and 
shake  hands  with  the  President.  The  fellow  being 
desirous  of  the  money,  proposed  to  go  wash  and  make 
himself  a  little  decent,  but  the  idle  wags  said  the 


398  MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS. 


dollar  would  only  be  forthcoming  if  he  shook  the 
hand  of  the  President  with  that  same  unwashed  paw 
of  his.  My  informant  saw  the  dollar  won.  Mr. 
Jefferson,  with  perfect  courtesy,  turned  aside  for  a 
moment,  returned  the  hail  of  his  assailant  pleasantly, 
and  quietly  resumed  his  walk  with  the  lady. 

Such  freaks  are  but  the  effervescence  of  success 
and  good  spirits,  and  subside  of  themselves.  It 
was  not  unnatural  that  the  "  States"  should,  imme- 
diately after  winning  their  independence,  couple 
taxation  and  vexations  with  royalty  and  titles,  and 
imagine  unbounded  freedom  in  knowing  all  men  as 
Tom,  Dick,  and  Harry.  It  was  happy  that  they 
escaped  all  Utopianism  with  regard  to  Socialist  lev- 
elling, and  have  been  even  more  in  danger  of  hero- 
worship  than  the  men  of  other  countries.  No  nation 
more  gratefully  showers  honors  on  its  benefactors. 
It  does  not  give  Dukedoms  in  reward  of  brave  gen- 
eralship, nor  ribbons  and  stars  in  return  for  limbs 
lost  in  the  public  service  ;  but  the  Hero  is  enshrined 
in  their  heart  of  hearts.  His  face  is  to  be  seen  in 
their  prmt-shops,  his  name  is  bestowed  on  their 
Streets  and  Hotels,  and  Keading-rooms,  and  his  ar- 
rivals are  hailed  with  a  brother's  welcome. 

The  prejudice  against  titles  runs  high,  and  some- 
times exhibits  itself  absurdly  enough.     I  heard  a 


MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS.  399 


gentleman  seeming  to  congratulate  himself  on  hav- 
ing made  a  point  to  address  the  Earl  of  Durham 
as  Mr.  Durham  during  his  visit  to  New  York.  I 
suggested  that  an  English  Lord  would  impute  that 
to  his  ignoraTice  of  how  to  manage  a  title.  This  new 
view  of  the  subject  seemed  somewhat  mortifying, 
seeing  what  he  designed  to  exhibit,  was  not  his  ig- 
norance, but  his  contempt  of  such  kickshaws. 

Nevertheless  I  thought  I  observed  that  the  arrival 
of  a  titled  man  produces  a  degree  of  empressement 
in  the  fashionable  worldly  circles,  though  they  strive 
to  conceal  it.  Except,  indeed,  in  case  of  such  a  vis- 
itor as  Lord  Morpeth,  whose  fair  and  impassionate 
views,  and  moral  worth,  recommended  him  to  a  higher 
style  of  men  than  those  of  the  mere  circles  of 
fashion. 

It  often  struck  me  that  the  desire  of  approbation 
which  is  so  strongly  marked  in  the  American  char- 
acter, instead  of  having  its  source  in  an  exacting  or 
boasting  spirit,  springs  from  two  generous  sentiments. 
The  first  is  the  love  of  country.  It  is  often  amusing, 
but  always  agreeable,  to  see  a  man  kindle  in  de- 
scribing habits,  properties,  and  inventions  which  are 
endeared  to  him  from  his  having  a  personal  honor 
or  credit  in  them.  The  country  is  not  worth  living 
in,  that  is  not  worth  loving ;  and  the  government 


400  MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS. 


that  deadens  instead  of  awakening  the  patriotic  sen^ 
timent,  must  be  unhealthy.  I  am  not  sure  that  every 
American  who  applauds  his  native  land  will  coincide 
with  or  thank  me  for  the  remark,  that  the  second 
seems  to  have  its  source  in  respect  for  other  countries, 
and  especially  for  the  parent  country,  Great  Britain. 
They  desire  their  approval.  They  wish  to  be  the 
model  of  all  Republics.  They  desire  to  be  the  finest 
as  well  as  the  widest  country  in  the  world,  and  their 
enjoyment  of  its  greatness  is  much  enhanced  if  you 
admire  it  with  them.  This  sentiment  could  not  de- 
serve to  be  called  generous,  if  they  only  held  up 
their  country  for  men  to  admire,  and  closed  it  against 
strangers.  But  their  conduct  is  the  very  reverse  of 
this.  They  welcome  to  its  homes  the  refugee  from 
every  country.  Their  soil  provides  a  place  for  ex- 
kings,  ex-generals,  ex-patriots.  Nay,  in  the  energy 
of  their  patriotic  welcomes,  they  are  in  danger  of 
killing  with  kindness.  In  the  case  of  the  Ex-Gov- 
ernor of  Hungary,  it  is  possible  that  for  the  first 
time  it  entered  the  mind  of  Kossuth  that  there  is 
some  advantage  in  "  streets  bristling  with  bayonets," 
and  ways  cleared  hj  gens  d^armes  ;  when  he,  weary, 
sea-worn,  anxious,  and  really  sick,  was  forced  to 
wait  two  hours  at  the  Castle  Garden  before  room 
could  be  made  for  him  to  pass  to  a  place  of  rest. 


MANNEES  AND   CUSTOMS.  401 

The  enthusiasm  is  generous  and  inspiring,  and  moves 
all  ages  at  once  to  lively  demonstration.  It  may, 
however,  ^xcite  expectations  in  Hungary  which  Amer- 
ica is  not  prepared  to  meet.  Individuals  will  give 
liberally  of  their  gold,  their  huzzas,  and  speeches 
of  welcome,  and  feasts,  and  showers  of  nosegays. 
These  may  seem  preliminary  steps  towards  very  se- 
rious interferences  with  European  despots,  from 
which  the  nation  will  probably  shrink  back  at  the 
hour  of  action. 

But  not  only  do  they  welcome  illustrious  exiles. 
There  might  be  some  pride  in  sheltering  them — 
some  eclat  in  the  eyes  of  the  spectator-nations,  in 
affording  asylums  to  such  as  they  have  cast  out. 
They  receive  with  as  free  a  welcome  the  houseless 
and  poor — they  stretch  out  their  hands  to  help  the 
landing  of  those  who  in  the  first  instance  cost  them 
much  unprofitable  trouble  and  expense.  The  new- 
comers must  be  housed, — nursed,  if  sick,  at  the 
risk  of  propagating  pestilence, — placed  in  positions 
where  their  qualifications  can  be  made  available, 
and  often  forwarded  to  such  situations  with  trouble 
and  expense  to  their  employers.  Yet  you  never 
hear  the  multitude  of  emigrants  murmured  against, 
though  you  often  hear  it  wondered  at.  "  Let  them 
come — let  them  come,"  they  say,  "  this  is  a  great 
26 


402  MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS. 

country — we  have  room  and  resources  for  them  all. 
No  industrious  man  or  woman  need  starve  in  our 
country, — let  them  come — let  them  come." 

Few  troops  of  human  beings  could  look  less  in- 
viting than  those  that  are  to  be  seen  daily  making 
their  way  to  the  Emigration  offices.  But  the  natives 
look  past  the  lean  squalor  of  the  outside  to  the  man 
within,  and  repeat  kindly,  "  Let  them  come."  The 
wants  of  the  country  form  their  welcome.  So  many 
willing  laborers  are  equivalent  to  so  much  capital. 

They  land  without  the  means  to  purchase  their 
first  meal,  but  they  bring  a  robust  northern  constitu- 
tion. Their  powers  are  soon  found  to  be  exactly 
suited  to  the  necessity.  Look  on  those  seven  hod- 
men on  one  swinging  ladder,  each  carrying  his  quo- 
tum of  brick  or  mortar.  They  began  at  morning, 
and  now  it  is  noon.  They  have  not  ceased  to  go 
the  round  up,  sky  high  with  their  load,  and  down 
by  another  ladder,  after  they  have  laid  it  on  the 
scaffold.  Do  they  come  down  to  stand  and  breathe  1 
or  sit  down  and  rest  ?  No, — they  go  on  up  down, 
up  down,  until  evening,  only  pausing  for  meals. 

Americans  reared  under  a  more  enervating  sun, 
and  fed  on  hot  cakes,  and  loads  of  butter  and 
butcher-meat,  could  by  no  means  execute  those 
rounds,  they  would  soon  give  in  and  rest — and  so 


MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS.  403 

of  all  other  laborious  works.  Who  drain  the 
marshes,  and  clear  the  forests,  and  pull  the  snags 
out  of  the  rivers  ?  Who  dig  the  canals,  improve 
tlie  harbors,  and  lay  the  roads  ?  It  is  these  same 
shivering  starving  emigrants,  of  whom  the  wise  in 
their  policy  and  the  benevolent  in  their  pity  say, 
"  Let  them  come." 

The  God  of  providence,  who  designs  to  people 
the  Western  world  from  the  East,  has  so  inclined 
their  hearts — and  one  looks  through  the  first  strug- 
gle and  difficulty,  and  in  imagination  sees  these 
starving  fed,  and  those  naked  clothed,  and  these 
wild  little  children  at  common  school,  being  taught. 
The  mind  finds  such  a  picture  charming,  were  it  not 
for  the  fear  that  the  poor  people,  bringing  their 
empty  cup,  will  find  it  difficult,  according  to  our 
Scotch  proverb,  to  "  carry  a  full  one  with  a  steady 
hand."  If  to  this  smiling  plenty  they  add  the  fear 
of  God,  all  will  be  well.  If  they  are  filled  only  with 
this  world,  they  will  become  heady  and  high-minded, 
and  in  a  few  years  will  find  themselves  as  poorly 
provided  for  the  eternal  shore  on  which  they  must 
land,  as  they  were  for  the  shores  of  the  New  World 
when  they  first  landed  upon  them. 

One  looks  with  great  respect  on  the  courage  of 
women  taking  up  an  object  and  pursuing  it  through 


404  MANNEKS  AND  CUSTOMS. 

many  difficulties  and  intricacies,  in  all  manner  of 
positions,  not  allowing  the  recollection  of  their  sex 
to  interfere  with  or  impede  their  steps.  We  saw 
one  lady  seated  in  the  library  of  the  Capitol  search- 
ing records  for  herself,  and  pointing  out  passages 
to  her  secretary  which  she  desired  to  have  ex- 
tracted. Another,  whose  name  is  publicly  honored, 
so  that  to  mention  it  is  not  unbecoming.  Miss  Dix, 
has  acted  a  Howard's  part  in  searching  out  the 
cause  of  the  neglected  or  ill-managed.  Year  after 
year,  she  has  made  investigations  from  city  to  city, 
and  from  state  to  state,  and  having  obtained  evi- 
dence of  the  necessities,  has  laid  before  Congress 
petitions  for  grants  of  land  to  endow  and  on  which 
to  build  hospitals  for  the  insane,  and  prisons  more 
airy  and  better  ordered.  Her  business  brings  her 
to  the  seat  of  government,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  she  never  fails  to  find  the  right  man  to  take  up 
her  cause  and  plead  it.  Through  her  disinterested 
exertions,  many  sufferings  have  been  alleviated,  and 
many  neglected  ones  have  been  made  comfortable. 
To  be  thus  useful  members  of  society  it  is  not 
necessary  to  become  politicians,  or  to  step  out  of 
a  strictly  feminine  attitude.  The  American  ladies 
who  thus  exert  themselves  do  not  mingle  in  politics. 


MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS.  405 

They  aim  at  their  one  object  and  pursue  it  without 
deviation. 

An  effervescence  of  enthusiasm  for  the  man  of  the 
day  sometimes  exhibits  itself  among  females  in  a  man- 
ner that  would  alarm  any  British  statesman,  as  much 
as  it  does  the  American  gentlewoman.     I  do  not  be- 
lieve it  ought  to  be  called  a  practice,  yet  in  more  than 
one  city  it  has  fallen  out  that  Henry  Clay  has  been 
called  upon  in  his  progress  to  submit  to  an  amazing 
ordeal.     I  am  so  negligent  as  to  have  forgotten  the 
occasion  on  which  Mr.  Clay  met  the  gratitude  of  his 
countrywomen ;  or  rather  I  was  so  confounded  at 
the  mode  of  its  expression,  that  my  attention  was 
withdrawn  from  the  occasion,  and  swallowed  up  in 
the  demonstration.      One  impassioned  female,  in  a 
tide  of  love  and  devotion,  rushed  forward  to  the 
hero,  and  contrived  to  reach  up  to  his  not  particu- 
larly beautiful  or  inviting  face,  and — kissed  him ! ! 
Did  you  ever  see  the  leader-sheep  of  the  flock  leap 
over  a  rivulet,  and  then  another,  and  another  fol- 
low, till  the  whole,  score  upon  score,  in  a  frenzy  of 
imitation,  leaped  it  also  ?     Just  so  followed  the  ex- 
cited women,  hundreds  upon  hundreds.     Poor  Henry 
Clay  !     Those  who  could  not  reach  his  head  kissed 
his  hands  or  his  coat.     As  the  multitude  rendered 
it  impossible  that  their  hero  should  return  the  civil 


406  MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 

ity,  he  stood  it  nobly,  till  all  who  chose  had  saluted 
him, — and  because  of  his  advanced  years,  he  proba- 
bly regarded  it  as  an  act  of  filial  reverence  in  his 
daughters. 

A  lady,  who  had  entered  the  Hall  to  look  upon 
the  great  statesman,  assured  me,  with  many  blushes, 
that  she  stood  on  one  side  and  beheld  what  is  here 
stated.  When  I  inquired  as  to  the  rank  of  the 
wonderfully  grateful  throng,  she  replied  it  was  not 
possible  to  discriminate  by  means  of  silk  gowns  and 
fine  shawls,  as  everybody  can  afford  to  dress  well  in 
America,  but  I  might  conjecture  their  rank  by  their 
method  of  expressing  their  admiration. 

"We  must  suppose  that  such  an  ebullition  can  oc- 
cur but  once  in  a  man's  life,  and  that  it  must  be  con- 
nected with  some  peculiar  accessibility  in  the  hero. 
One  does  not  fancy  that  such  an  assault  could  be 
made  on  Daniel  Webster  or  General  Scott,  or  that 
it  could  be  less  than  very  unpleasing  to  any  man. 

The  conduct  of  matters  at  the  White  House 
strikes  every  European  with  surprise — and,  doubt- 
less, every  European  blessed  with  a  free  government, 
with  admiration.  The  evening  we  went  there,  the 
crowd  of  carriages  and  company  was  great,  but 
President  Fillmore  had  no  body-guard.  There 
were  no  sentinels  at  the  gates,  and  no  policemen 


MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS.  407 

peeping  about  to  spy  some  one  out  of  bounds. 
There  was  a  mixture  of  spectators  about  the  halls 
and  piazzas,  and  probably  some  few  were  even  with- 
in the  saloons,  who  did  not  approach  the  President. 
Every  one  acquitted  himself  as  if  he  were  personal- 
ly interested  in  having  all  pass  ofiF  to  advantage. 
Lookers-on  came  in  to  the  outer  apartment  without 
tickets  of  admission,  and  on  all  occasions  conduct 
themselves  with  propriety. 

There  were  some  magnificently-built  men,  such  as 
one  likes  to  see,  holding  the  rank  of  generals  and 
admirals.  The  President  did  not  fall  behind  any  in 
height  and  fine  figure,  or  in  pleasing  intelligence  of 
countenance.  There  were  also  some  splendid  wo- 
men, splendidly  dressed,  as  well  as  some  lovely  and 
some  homely  in  costumes  neat  and  elegant,  but  not 
rich.  All  were  the  same  as  to  reception, — at  least, 
if  there  were  any  precedence,  it  was  not  so  conspic- 
uous as  to  be  observed  by  a  stranger.  In  perambu- 
lating the  circular  room  several  times,  nothing  ap- 
peared calculated  to  scare  away  the  cheerful  simpli- 
city of  converse.  The  companion  who  chanced  for 
the  time  to  make  the  circle  with  us  pointed  out  with 
pride  the  conquerors  in  the  Mexican  war,  the  Sena- 
tors who  had  made  eloquent  appearances  on  the 
right  side^  whichever  the  talker  happened  to  think 


408  MANlJERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 


such.  The  foreign  ambassadbrs  were  distinguished, 
and  so  were  the  beautiful  women,  and  those  whose 
ancestors  had  suffered  and  made  great  sacrifices  dur- 
ing the  war  of  Independence — but  all  with  simple 
heartiness.  Whatever  has  been  said  or  supposed  in 
England  about  the  aristocracy  of  wealth,  I  cannot 
remember  that  one  individual  was  marked  to  me  on 
account  of  his  being  the  proprietor  of  millions  of 
dollars,  though  doubtless  there  were  many  such 
present. 

Politeness  is  the  "  Davy's  Safety  Lamp"  of  the 
country.  There  is  a  flame  of  ardent  opinion  or  sen- 
timent within,  and  without  there  may  be  elements 
of  a  dangerous  character,  which  by  contact,  would 
easily  kindle  into  hot  argument,  or  hazardous  pas- 
sion. Where  no  more  solid  principle  forms  the 
protector,  politeness  is  the  surrounding  guardian 
which  prevents  conflagration. 

In  none  of  the  various  ranks  of  society  in  which 
I  had  the  means  of  mingling,  did  I  meet  the  stiff- 
ness of  etiquette,  or  its  monotony.  There  is  a  cold- 
ness about  grandeur  which  acts  as  a  refrigerator  on 
all  around.  It  does  not  mingle  with  the  general 
sympathies,  and  for  want  of  the  exercise  of  its  own, 
loses  the  possession  of  them.  There  are  many  fam- 
ilies in  Europe  reared  in  the  retired  state  of  encir- 


MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS.  409 

cling  park  walls  and  lofty  gateways,  whose  most  en- 
livening variety  in  early  days  is  the  display  of  the 
peacock's  tail  on  the  edge  of  the  terrace,  the  trot  of 
the  beautiful  antlered  herd  over  the  lawn,  or  the 
scud  of  the  hare  from  under  the  shrubs.  These 
people's  sympathies  are  so  closed  out  from  their  fel- 
lows, that  the  sight  of  a  poor  person  within  certain 
precincts  is  an  offence,  and  the  inquiry  is  instantly 
raised,  how  he  got  in.  State,  particularly  in  young 
people,  is  apt  to  be  exacting,  supercilious,  and  intol- 
erant. Pride  usurps  the  place  of  the  kindly  ameni- 
ties, and  groundless  and  idle  jealousies  ward  off  the 
effusion  of  affection  which  ought  to  sprmg  up  readily 
in  young  hearts.  The  enjoyment  of  a  day,  when 
they  once  come  out  into  their  own  style  of  society, 
may  be  marred  by  some  trifling  failure  in  etiquette, 
such  as  one  of  inferior  rank  being  placed  in  prece- 
dence to  them.  How  many  fine  minds  have  been 
wasted  on  such  poor  stuff  as  this,  and  that  which 
nature  has  made  gentle  and  graceful,  reduced  to 
empty,  self-exalting  elegance,  and  artificial  exacting 
refinement. 

This  style  of  consequence  does  not  show  its  face 
in  American  society,  though  people  have  their  own 
positions,  and  fall  into  and  keep  them  naturally. 
When  upstart  wealth  seeks  to  make  its  way  in  cul- 


"^ 


MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 


tivated  and  refined  society,  unless  the  parties  are 
themselves  estimable  and  attractive,  they  generally 
find  the  achievement  too  difficult.  There  is  much 
extravagance  in  furniture  and  dress  in  the  wealthy 
cities,  and  this  in  many  different  ranks  ;  and  a  rich 
man,  or  his  ambitious  wife,  sometimes  makes  the 
show  and  talk  of  the  hour  by  giving  a  splendid  par- 
ty— colored  lamps,  festoons  of  flowers,  conservato- 
ries lighted  up  like  moonlight  groves,  odors  diffused 
from  urns,  dreamy  music  issuing  from  shady  caves, 
tableaux  vivans  fixing  the  eye  under  GTothic  arches 
— such  are  the  attractions  by  which  taste,  extrava- 
gance and  folly  have  sometimes  tried  to  construct  a 
path  for  the  vulgar  into  the  society  of  the  refined. 
But  the  experiment  generally  ends  in  the  failure  of 
the  plan,  and  probably  you  hear  that  the  party,  dis- 
appointed of  the  aim  of  all  this  display,  has  left  the 
place  in  disgust,  while  the  grand  house,  with  its  gor- 
geous contents,  are  for  sale. 

The  absence  of  domestic  comfort  in  crowded 
boarding-houses,  exposes  people  to  the  attraction  of 
out-door  amusements,  and  thus  many  seek  to  pass 
hours  in  second-rate  theatres,  and  public  gardens, 
who  could  and  would  enjoy  homes,  if  they  possessed 
them.  There  is  a  levity  of  mind  and  taste  thus  fos- 
tered, which  may  pervert  the   character   for   life. 


MANNERS   AND  CUSTOMS.  411 

One  could  not  remark  without  regret  and  fear,  how 
in  New  York,  more  than  in  other  cities,  this  amuse- 
ment mania  is  breaking  over  old  sober  barriers,  and 
Christian  parents,  who  never  themselves  sought  en- 
joyment in  such  pastimes,  yield  to  the  importunity 
of  their  children,  and  suflFer  them  to  go  where  the 
restraint  of  the  parental  eye  never  follows  them. 

On  reconsidering  nine  months  spent  most  agree- 
ably amongst  Christian  friends,  in  whom  my  soul 
quietly  reposed,  I  feel  that  I  have  acquired  treas- 
ures of  esteem,  admiration,  and  love  for  many  pre- 
cious characters,  which  I  shall  cherish  in  memory 
for  life.  Amongst  them  I  found  no  repulsive  boast- 
ing, no  rude  comparisons,  no  self-exalting  proposi- 
tions. But  whenever  one  enters  into  society  of  a 
decidedly  worldly  cast,  you  encounter  something  of 
all  these.  Still  there  is  good-humor  and  kindness 
in  their  earnest  desire  to  draw  out  the  expression 
of  your  admiration  of  "  our  country." 

It  was  delightful,  and  at  the  same  time  amusing, 
on  that  sunny  morning  when,  after  our  very  stormy 
voyage,  we  came  in  sight  of  the  Neversinkfe,  and 
amid  a  fleet  of  graceful  white  sails  we  entered  the 
Narrows,  to  observe  and  participate  in  the  varied 
emotions  of  our  fellow-travellers.  The  joy  of  turn- 
ing Sandy  Hook,  and  recognizing  well-known  ob- 


412  MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS. 

jects,  mounted  to  enthusiasm.  There  being  very 
few  English  on  board,  the  lively  Americans  were 
lavish  in  their  efforts  to  show  me  every  striking  ob- 
ject, and  every  fine  point  of  view.  One  thought 
this  the  best  position  to  see  everything  from ;  an- 
other hastened  to  remove  me  to  that.  One  lent  a 
telescope,  another  described  a  fort,  another  pointed 
out  an  island.  All  demanded  approbation,  admira- 
tion, nay,  were  not  quite  satisfied  without  ecstacy. 
I  loved  their  patriotism,  and  felt  obliged  by  their 
politeness,  but  their  comparisons  jarred  against  my 
feelings.  The  atmosphere  was  delightful,  the  sky 
deep  blue,  the  floating  clouds  fleecy.  It  was  all  full 
of  what  was  pleasing.  But  my  ciceroni  were  not 
satisfied  without  the  confession  that  London  is  "  Fog 
Babylon,"  and  Britain  "  an  egg  in  a  nest  of  moss." 
To  praise  the  present  did  not  satisfy  their  full 
hearts,  they  demanded  admission  of  some  inferiority 
in  the  absent.  Such  is  man  !  It  seems  nearly  as 
benevolent  to  abuse  one's  country  as  to  say,  "  Madam, 
excuse  me,  but  you  have  an  ugly  face."  Instead 
of  enabling  one  to  give  expression  of  admiration  to 
their  country,  it  has  the  effect  of  utterly  repressing 
it.  The  whole  feeling  arises  from  inconsideration, 
as  no  one  can  have  merit  with  respect  to  a  climate 


MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS.  413 

in  reference  to  which  he  was  not  consulted  when  he 
was  born  in  it. 

There  is,  however,  another  style  of  rivalry,  which 
though  useful  to  commerce  and  to  science,  is  •  apt  to 
stir  worse  feelings  than  those  of  exultation  about 
climate  or  the  productions  of  the  earth,  the  rivalry 
in  ship-building  and  sailing.  We  were  retarded  by 
storms.  One  of  the  Cunard  line  of  steamers  was  to 
sail  three  days  after  us.  People  talked  about  the 
possibility  of  that  ship  reaching  port  as  soon  as  we. 
The  solicitude  that  we  should  be  first  in  spite  of  ad- 
verse elements  was  immense.  "  If  the  Europa  get 
on  without  meeting  the  skirts  of  our  gale."  "  If  she 
should  enter  the  port  by  the  same  tide."  Many 
were  the  idle  "  ifs,"  and  some  of  them  clearly  ac- 
companied with  bitterness.  Yet  I  never  compre- 
hended how  deep  the  feeling  was,  till  I  heard  our 
gallant  captain  in  his  deep  calm  voice  reply  to  one 
of  these  "  ifs,"  "  I'd  rather  lose  a  limb." 

During  several  days  while  the  gale  lasted,  solici- 
tude, and  a  degree  of  doubt  hung  on  the  minds  of 
the  most  experienced  voyagers  in  the  cabin,  as  to 
how  so  huge  a  craft  might  acquit  herself  in  such  a 
sea.  And  it  was  not  till  the  captain  expressed  his 
satisfaction  in  the  brief  but  important  sentence, 
"  She's  behaving  well,  sir,"  that  an  outburst  of  en- 


414  MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS. 

thusiasm  broke  forth  on  the  excellence  of  the  ship, 
of  American  ship  building,  and  of  all  her  ships  in 
general,  and  on  their  universal  superiority  to  those 
of  Britain.  Our  experienced  captain,  who  knew 
more  of  maritime  matters  than  all  his  passengers, 
sometimes  put  in  a  quiet  word,  which  had  rather  a 
damping  effect.  He  probably  felt  that,  however 
good  the  vessel,  the  springing  of  a  single  plank 
could  have  put  a  stop  to  our  boasting,  and  that  such 
an  event  was  within  reach  of  possibility.  All  the  dis- 
cussers of  ship-building  did  not  see  so  far  as  he  did. 
This  one  national  characteristic  apart,  the  man- 
ners of  the  people  in  the  United  States  are,  taken  as 
a  whole,  more  frank,  natural,  benevolent,  and  lively 
than  our  own.  In  politeness  and  consideration  for 
feminine  weakness,  real  or  supposed,  they  very  far 
surpass  the  English.  "  Tell  me,"  said  a  native  of 
one  of  the  colonies,  on  board  the  Cunard  steamer  by 
which  we  returned  to  England,  "  tell  me  what  dif- 
ference you  observe  between  the  manners  of  the 
Americans  and  ours  ?"  "  The  most  striking  to  me 
at  the  moment  is  their  superiority  in  politeness.  I 
have  been  leaning  over  this  rail  for  half  an  hour, 
and  there  are  six  Englishmen  seated  on  either  hand, 
not  one  of  whom  has  offered  me  a  seat."  I  almost 
regretted  my  remark,  for  during  the  remainder  of 


MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS.  415 


the  voyage  this  amiable  person  never  failed  to  fly 
off  for  a  camp  stool  the  moment  he  saw  me  ascend 
the  stairs.  Yet,  had  I  doubted  the  fact  before, 
there  has  been  evidence  enough  since  my  return 
that  my  remark  was  just.  Our  women,  though  not 
so  courageous  in  public  acts  as  theirs,  are  left  far 
more  to  their  own  resources  in  private,  and  are, 
with  the  public-spirited  and  noble  exceptions, 
among  their  sisters  across  the  ocean,  more  inde- 
pendent in  thinking  and  acting  than  they. 

There  are  a  few  festival  days  in  the  year,  when 
the  mechanic  lays  down  his  tools,  the  shopman 
leaves  his  store,  and  all  the  world  has  a  sympathy 
in  enjoyment. 

Thanksgiving  is  a  great  day.  The  Governor  of 
each  State  appoints  it  at  the  time  most  suitable. 
Christians  flock  to  places  of  worship  to  offer  acknowl- 
edgments for  the  mercies  of  seed-time  and  harvest, 
and  all  the  blessings  of  the  year,  political  and  pri- 
vate. Friends  flock  to  each  other's  houses,  and 
those  who  have  not  had  time  to  meet  for  many  a 
day,  eat  turkey  and  cranberries  together,  while  those 
who  have  the  gift,  recount  in  after-dinner  speeches 
their  blessings,  and  satisfactions,  and  submissions  to 
the  dispensations  of  the  past  months.  It  is  a  day 
much  to  be  delighted  in,  when  the  prosperous  "  eat 


416  MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 

the  fat  and  drink  the  sweet,  and  send  portions  to 
those  who  have  nothing,"  as  in  the  days  of  ancient 
Jewish  sacrifice. 

Then  comes  Christmas  with  its  roast  goose  and 
plum-puddings,  and  its  exhibitions  of  well-dressed 
Sunday-school  children.  In  the  old  settlements, 
then  comes  that  liberal  humorsome  old  friend  of 
the  expecting  little  ones,  Santa  Claus.  I  have  seen 
him  in  full  equipment,  a  gentleman  much  resembling 
Punch  in  the  frontispiece — only  besides  the  hooked 
nose  and  droll,  benevolent,  quizzical  face,  he  is  hung 
round  with  shooting-bags,  fishing-baskets,  long  wal- 
lets and  short,  all  protruding  in  a  promising  manner, 
with  pretty  things,  toys,  and  candy.  He  is  not  of 
such  large  bounty  as  the  German  Christmas-tree,  on 
which  grows  sometimes  a  whole  suit  of  clothes,  hats, 
shoes,  and  every  useful  thing ;  but  he  is  a  more  mys- 
terious sugar-plum-loving  benefactor,  who  particu- 
larly interests  the  little  people  in  the  nursery.  He 
finds  his  way  into  their  pockets,  and  conveniently 
discovers  all  the  stockings  which  on  Christmas  eve 
never  can  rest  quietly  on  a  chair,  but  are  hung  up 
most  invitingly,  and  whatever  he  finds  of  that  de- 
scription, he  kindly  stuffs  with  the  contents  of  his 
many  bags.  I  never  could  discover  certainly  from 
any  child  how  Santa  Claus  gets  in.     Some  think 


MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS.  417 

down  the  chimney,  some  through  the  key-hole,  some 
have  a  shrewd  suspicion  that  Mamma  and  he  have 
some  treaty  about  it.  He  is  a  welcome  ancient 
guest,  come  how  he  may ;  and  I  have  my  own  sus- 
picion that  he  is  a  patron  Saint  transported  from 
Europe,  whose  eastern  name,  Saint  Nicholas,  has  in 
the  hurry  of  western  talk  been  abridged  of  a  few  of 
its  letters. 

But  the  1st  of  January,  which  follows  hard 
upon  it,  quite  eclipses  its  predecessor.  Every- 
body that  knows  anybody,  must  on  that  day  pay 
their  respects.  The  rushing  about  is  amazing.  The 
brief,  graceful,  pleasant  congratulations  are  lively  as 
they  are  fleeting.  It  is  no  day  for  a  wit  to  expend 
bright  things  on,  as  no  one  has  leisure  to  remember 
them.  The  hurry  is  so  great  that  by  common  con- 
sent the  word  "  day"  is  omitted  in  its  name,  and 
everybody  calls  it  "  New  Year's." 

If  a  pair  of  dove's  eyes  have  shot  through  the 
heart  of  a  youth,  he  may,  without  previous  acquain- 
tance with  the  family,  call  and  look  upon  them  on 
that  day  of  privilege,  and  no  one  will  wonder  or  think 
it  intrusive.  The  stranger  who  has  previously  de- 
livered his  introduction,  is  expected  to  offer  his  sal- 
utations on  that  day.  Old  associates  meet  and  hail 
each  other  with  "  auld  lang  syne"  cordiality ;  and  if 
27 


418  MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS. 

any  business  misunderstanding,  or  any  family  dispute 
has  occurred  during  the  past  year,  you  have  but  to 
enter,  present  your  congratulations,  shake  hands  all 
around,  and  it  is  understood  that  the  division  is 
henceforth  to  be  forgotten  and  the  wound  is  healed. 
The  ladies  stay  at  home  and  hold  the  levee,  while 
the  gentlemen  run  the  round,  sometimes  of  hundreds 
of  houses.  I  believe  the  Clergy  also  stay  to  make 
their  reception.  When  evening  comes,  those  who 
are  united  by  family  ties  pass  the  time  together  in  a 
more  quiet  manner.  "  New-year's"  is  a  fine  speci- 
men of  the  sociable  and  lively  habits  of  the  people, 
and  the  way  of  keeping  it  here  described,  is  pecu- 
liar to  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  day  of  days,  however,  is  the  4th  of  July — 
that  memorable  and  happy  day  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  I  had  the  misfortune  to  sail  two 
days  too  soon,  and  cannot  tell  from  observation  how 
the  nation  exhibits  its  joy  and  exultation.  But 
judging  by  the  mass  of  fire-wheels,  rockets,  and 
squibs  that  I  happened  to  see  preparing,  it  must  have 
been  as  great  a  day  for  the  explosion  of  gunpowder,  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  countries,  as  the  birthday 
of  our  much-beloved  Queen,  who  is  as  popular  in  her 
monarchy  as  Washington  was  and  is  in  his  republic. 

After  New-year  was  over,  I  inquired  of  an  in- 


MANNERS   AND   CUSTOMS.  419 

dustrious  young  man,  when  he  would  have  another 
holiday.  He  replied,  "Not  till  the  'fourth  of 
July.' "  It  is  a  hard  trial  to  bodily  and  mental 
vigor,  to  be  so  long  upon  the  stretch,  without  re- 
laxation and  without  variety.  For  they  do  in 
America  cleave  to  their  business  with  unremitting 
care.  Our  Father  in  Heaven,  knowing  the  consti- 
tution and  wants  of  the  creatures  he  has  made,  has 
appointed  one  day  in  seven  as  a  day  of  holy  respite 
from  toil,  and  of  peaceful  and  reposing  communion 
with  Himself  Happy  the  man  of  business  and  of 
labor,  who  knows  how  to  gather  the  manna  and  re- 
freshment it  is  designed  to  shed. 

There  are  many  customs  peculiar  to  districts, 
which  have  descended  from  their  European  progeni- 
tors, and  are  interesting,  as  heirlooms  to  those  who 
inherit  them.  One  custom,  however,  which  I  met 
within  almost  every  hopse  where  I  had  the  happiness 
of  receiving  much  social  enjoyment,  originated  in 
New  England.  The  custom  in  the  higher  circles 
of  abstinence  from  intoxicating  drinks.  The  broth- 
erly love  is  to  be  highly  esteemed,  which  induces 
whole  families  to  refuse  utterly  to  intermeddle  with 
that  article  which  ensnares  their  neighbor,  though 
for  themselves  it  may  have  no  temptation.  The 
vigor  of  national  character  exercised  by  those  cities, 


4:20  MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 


— in  one  instance,  I  believe  by  a  whole  State — 
which  have  made  for  themselves  a  decree  of  total 
abstinence,  has  a  grandeur  in  it  that  commands  re- 
spect. In  Maine,  if  you  will  have  ardent  spirits,  you 
must  seek  them  from  the  druggist's  bottle.  This  is 
an  act  of  the  Legislature,  cheerfully  acceded  to  by 
the  whole  people.  What  could  such  a  people  not  do, 
in  raising  the  moral  tone  of  their  State,  were  they 
to  adopt  similar  energy  and  self-denial  in  overthrow- 
ing other  vices  as  they  have  in  doing  battle  with 
drunkenness.  Six  sermons  by  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher, 
on  the  subject  of  Total  Abstinence,  published  widely 
in  Old  England  as  well  as  in  his  own  country,  have 
had  the  powerful  effect  in  urging  on  that  important 
measure,  which  by  their  sound  reasons  and  eloquent 
language  they  are  well  fitted  to  have.  The  cool, 
calm,  unloaded  atmosphere  of  the  hotels  is  refresh- 
ing, and  the  table  where  80  or  100  people  dine, 
presents  no  liquid  but  cheering  iced  water. 

I  have  happily  nothing  to  do  with  travellers'  hints 
about  brandy  and  water  in  the  bar-room,  out  of 
sight,  but  am  satisfied  that  those  guzzling  habits 
are  now  counted  dishonoring  and  injurious,  which 
thirty  years  ago  led  people  to  drink  a  little  half  a 
dozen  times  in  the  day.  And  I  must  despise  the 
taste  that  could  induce  an  Englishman  to  try  if  he 


MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS.  421 

sould  not  tempt  a  Bostonian  to  give  him  a  treat  of 
the  far-famed  sherry  cobbler  behind  the  folding- 
doors.  Was  it  curiosity  ?  he  ought  to  have  respect- 
ed the  motives  of  Boston  enough  to  refrain  from 
laying  that  snare  before  a  friend  who,  to  oblige  him 
as  a  stranger,  yielded  to  his  temptation.  Was  it  to 
discern  if  he  who  treated  him,  would  also  in  secret^ 
treat  himself  ?  It  was  basely  suspicious.  Or  was 
it  rather  that  the  tempter  loved  to  guzzle  ?  In  that 
case,  he  must  hasten  to  become  a  water-drinker, 
lest  he  fall  into  the  miserable  ranks  of  the  in- 
ebriate. 

At  ceremonious  private  dinners,  coffee  is  often 
brought  with  the  dessert — and  at  evening  parties  a 
beautiful  variety  of  good  things  is  prodjiced,  ac- 
companied by  lemonade  and  iced  water. 

Oh,  those  respectable  china  or  silver  jugs,  a  foot 
and  a  half  high,  with  the  lumps  of  pure  ice  floating 
in  them,  giving  notice  of  their  honest,  wholesome 
presence  by  a  knock  against  the  sides  when  the 
vessels  are  moved.  How  often  have  I  wished  to 
see  them  established  instead  of  Old  England's  nut- 
brown  ale,  and  Scotland's  still  more  ruinous  whiskey. 

With  all  the  pains  that  have  been  exerted, 
America  is  not  cleansed  from  the  sin  and  disgrace 
of   drunkenness,  but   its   frequency    is   powerfully 


i22  MANNERS  AND   CUSTOMS. 

dimiDished.  Now,  no  man  puts  the  bottle  to  his 
neighbor,  and  besets  him  with  entreaties  to  drink. 
No  lady  now,  in  making  a  round  of  calls,  is  in 
danger  of  coming  home  half  tipsy,  by  means  of  the 
cordial  at  one  house,  the  choice  wine  at  another, 
and  the  Roman  punch  at  a  tliird.  If  people  will 
drink,  they  must  do  it  secretly.  They  must  retreat 
to  the  bar-room,  or  inhale  their  sherry  cobbler  be- 
hind the  folding-door.  This  is  so  much  the  case, 
that  it  is  a  fact,  that  some  men  have  died  of  de- 
lirium tremens,  who  were  not  suspected  of  inebriety 
till  betrayed  by  this  horrid  disease,  which  swept 
them  into  the  drunkard's  eternity. 

The  climate  is  of  itself  so  exciting,  that  it  is  said, 
one  third  the  quantity  of  liquor  will  carry  away  a 
man's  head  and  feet,  that  would  be  required  to  pro- 
duce that  effect  in  England.  The  example  of  the 
clergy  does  them  honor,  and  has  had  a  powerful 
effect.  In  the  house  of  no  clergyman,  of  whatever 
denomination,  did  I  see  liquor,  but  I  grieve  to  say, 
in  some  of  them  I  heard  with  shame,  how  the  habits 
of  our  Scottish  clergy,  their  guests,  had  impeded 
their  influence  and  shocked  the  abstemious  people. 
Our  clergy  are  all  temperate  men,  but  in  the 
United  States  their  pious  clergymen  are  total  ab- 
stainers for  example's  sake. 


Jliagfltn. 

From  Buffalo  to  Niagara  the  way  is  not  altogether 
pleasant.  The  uncultured  suburbs  and  imperfect 
roads  of  a  city  hasting  in  its  growth,  the  ugly  shan- 
ties of  workmen  laboring  there,  the  trees  stript  of 
their  branches,  the  houses  for  cattle  without  paint 
or  any  pretension  to  neatness,  and  those  for  men 
with  glaring  drink-inviting  signs,  and  the  ground 
guttered  by  recent  rains,  while  the  river's  bank  in 
some  parts  looked  like  the  slimy  edge  of  a  tide-water 
canal, — such  is  the  uninviting  aspect  of  the  first 
few  miles  of  the  road.  It  was  therefore  pleasing  to 
let  the  eye  take  refuge  in  the  deep  blue,  cloudless 
sky,  effulgent  in  the  subdued  sunbeams  of  the  balmy 
Indian  Summer.  Not  a  cloud  remained  to  indicate 
the  torrent  of  rain  which  had  been  emptied  on  the 
earth  during  the  night.  When,  lo  !  while  we  were 
yet  several  miles  from  our  destination  a  pillar  of 
cloud  appeared — ^white,  but  massy,  containing  an  im- 
mense quantity  of  vapor  condensed  by  the  coolness 


424  NIAGARA. 


of  the  surrounding  air.  It  was  not  hung  in  the 
heavens  a  lonely  cloud,  revealing  not  whence  it  had 
been  exhaled.  It  ascended  from  mother  earth  like 
the  cloud  from  the  Altar  of  Incense  of  old  in  the 
unshaded  sky  of  the  wilderness — and  probably  this 
cloud,  so  dense,  so  white,  so  lofty,  has  ascended  from 
the  altar  of  nature  in  the  Indian  wild  for  centuries 
before  that  incense  sought  the  sky  in  the  desert  of 
Arabia,  as  it  has  continued  to  ascend  3000  years 
since  the  altar  and  the  camp  of  Israel  have  been 
removed.  This  pillar  of  vapor,  from  the  foam  of 
Niagara,  still,  huge,  and  solemn,  in  the  quiet  air, 
filled  the  mind.  Meet  incense  from  an  altar  so 
grand  and  so  enduring.  One  wanted  to  be  alone 
to  gaze  on  it  and  hear  the  accompanying  boom  of 
the  mighty  torrent,  and  feel  the  earth  tremble 
around  it.  At  length  we  neared  the  scene  of  this 
huge  coil  of  waters,  where  the  cloud,  instead  of 
increasing  in  importance,  seemed  to  diminish.  At- 
tention was  diverted.  There  seemed  a  gap  between 
it  and  the  surface  of  the  foam,  and  the  forest  trees 
appeared  to  mingle  in  its  formation.  I  could  never 
recover  the  impression  produced  by  my  first  view  of 
the  pillar  of  cloud. 

Every  one  professes  disappointment  on  the  first 
view  of  the  Falls.     I  must  confess  my  exceeding 


NIAGABA.  425 


dulness,  which  had  excited  some  mirth  amongst  my 
fellow-travellers.  We  had  unexpectedly  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  Genesee  Falls  the  day  before,  when 
a  brilliant  sun  painted  a  rich  and  perfect  rainbow, 
which  hung  over  the  boiling  volumes  of  the  flood 
below,  like  "  love  watching  madness  with  unaltered 
mien."  In  a  few  moments  the  cars  stopt  at  Roch- 
ester, and,  while  we  hastened  back  to  seek  the  bor- 
der of  the  Genesee,  I  expressed  my  wonder  that 
we  had  already  reached  Niagara  !  It  was  but  the 
hallucination  of  the  moment,  but  made  food  for  fun, 
and  proved  at  least  that  I  should  be  easily  contented 
with  my  cataract.  Yet  in  comparison  with  any 
common  Falls,  those  of  the  Genesee  are  magnifi- 
cent. 

I  was  not  disappointed  with  Niagara.  And,  like 
all  the  grand  and  noble  in  nature,  it  bears  inspection. 
Its  grandeur  magnifies  under  contemplation,  and  the 
mind  finds  secret  recesses  of  admiration,  or  solemn 
sympathies  unfold  to  apprehend  the  mighty  scene, 
and  the  heart's  pulses  learn  to  beat  in  unison  with 
the  diapason  of  its  muffled  thunders.  Leisurely  ob- 
servation, therefore,  does  not  exhaust,  but  rather 
enhances  the  interest — and  weeks  instead  of  days 
might  glide  by  while  the  spirit  would  still  freshly 
mingle  with  the  spell  of  its  Fall. 


426  NIAGAEA. 


We  took  a  guide  from  the  only  Hotel  left  open  at 
that  late  season  of  the  year,  and  found  him  useful  as 
related  to  the  safety  of  our  steps,  but  otherwise 
rather  an  impediment  than  assistant.  Specially — 
and  it  is  the  only  time  I  was  really  incommoded  by 
the  much-discussed  tobacco-consuming  customs  of 
the  country — specially  by  the  man's  continually  eat- 
ing of  tobacco,  and  obliging  us  to  skip  about  and 
shift  our  places  to  avoid  its  disgusting  consequences, 
while  we  wished  to  view  the  immense  cascade  in  re- 
pose. We  found  this  well-fed,  but  not  well-informed 
person  afterwards  at  the  hotel  dinner  amongst  the 
travellers. 

When  people  on  the  spot  are  expected  to  describe 
the  Falls,  you  generally  find  them  gliding  off  from 
the  grand  theme  to  something  that  concerns  man. 
Here  such  an  one  fell  in  and  was  carried  over  the 
precipice  into  the  gulf  below, — there  another  was 
rescued, — by  such  means  the  American  flag  was 
planted  on  that  shelf  of  gravel  in  the  midst  of  the 
rapid.  And,  above  all,  they  are  most  apt  to  tell 
you  here  was  a  battle  between  the  Indians  and  the 
settlers,  and  there  between  the  Americans  and  the 
British.  They  will  disturb  your  contemplation  on 
the  verge  of  that  fearful  gulf  called  the  Devil's  Hole, 
to  bring  forth  a  human  jaw  bleached  by  ninety  win- 


NIAGARA.  427 


ters,  which  once  had  belonged  to  an  English  soldier, 
who,  with  a  hundred  of  his  comrades,  were  bj  a  body 
of  Seneca  Indians  slain  or  cast  down  that  precipioe 
to  perish.  Battle,  murder,  or  sudden  death  seem 
the  subjects  you  cannot  escape  from  in  this  vicinity, 
so  prolific  in  contests  between  the  civilized  and  the 
savage. 

"  There  the  deer  drank,  and  the  light  gale  flew  o'er 
The  twinkling  maize  field  rustling  on  the  shore, 
And  while  that  spot,  so  wild,  and  lone,  and  fair, 
A  look  of  glad  and  innocent  beauty  wore, 
And  peace  was  on  the  earth  and  in  the  air 
The  warrior  lit  the  pile,  and  bound  his  captive  there." 

Bryant. 

A  land,  rich  now  in  well-cultured  fields  and  nat- 
ural productions,  and  enshrining  in  its  centre  one  of 
the  noblest  cascades  of  the  world,  has  been  the 
scene  of  more  contests  prising  from  pride,  wrath, 
and  cupidity,  than  may  be  found  anywhere  in  an 
equal  circle  of  miles.  What  is  there  to  be  feared ; 
what  of  solemn  and  awful  in  these  ever-rushing,  and 
tumbling,  and  plunging  waters,  compared  to  that 
which  the  heart  of  man,  boiling  over  in  blood-thirsty 
rage  has  exhibited  and  executed.  Not  only  the  old 
Indian  wars,  and  the  war  of  Independence,  have 
made  this  district  a  part  of  their  battle-field ;  but  in 
our  later  contests  in  1813  and  '14,  here   was  the 


428  NIAGARA. 


scene  of  most  bitter  conflict.  Whether  you  will  or 
not  you  must  hear  of  warlike  actions  on  all  hands. 
Concealed  by  the  woods  of  Goat  Island,  lies  the 
battle-field  of  Chippewa ;  though  concealed,  you  must 
hear  of  it,  for  there,  July  5,  1814,  Generals  Scott 
and  Porter  drove  the  enemy  from  all  his  positions, 
and  obliged  him  to  retreat. 

On  the  Canada  side  lies  Lundy's  Lane,  where  on 
the  25th  July,  1814,  after  shedding  much  blood, 
both  Americans  and  English  claimed  the  victory. . 
In  short,  the  mind  is  disturbed  and  pained  by  end- 
less details  of  strife,  and  forced  to  attend  to  the  evil 
doings  of  the  creature,  when  you  would  gladly  dwell 
in  silence  on  the  work  of  the  Creator. 

We  crossed  by  the  Suspension  Bridge  to  the 
Canada  side.  A  bridge  apparently  as  long  and  as 
high  as  Telford's  great  work  over  the  Menai  Strait 
in  Wales,  but  much  less  strong.  The  wires  are 
small,  and  the  whole  fabric  so  light  that  it  seems 
scarcely  designed  to  sustain  a  loaded  vehicle.  In- 
deed, we  were  invited  to  alight,  and  our  empty  car- 
riage was  driven  slowly  over,  while  we  walked.  Our 
guide  cast  a  heavy  stone  from  the  centre,  that  we 
might  watch  its  progress,  and  count  the  moments  re- 
quired for  it  to  reach  the  river  which  rushes  below. 
The  pathway  of  the  bridge  is  eight  hundred  feet 


NIAGARA.  429 


long,  and  the  wire  cables  ten  thousand  feet,  while 
the  columns  which  support  them  are  sixty-five  feet 
high. 

We  were  glad  to  pause  at  the  centre  of  the  bridge 
and  study  the  front  view  of  the  Horse  Shoe  Fall,  as 
we  could  not  obtain  it  from  the  trim  little  steam 
craft-,  the  "  Maid  of  the  Mist,"  which  plies  below 
the  Falls,  it  being  laid  up  for  the  season.  We  as- 
cended the  stream  to  the  very  verge  of  the  Great 
Fall — the  place  from  whence  the  Table  Rock 
plunged  down  into  the  boiling  gulf  a  few  months 
before.  This  rock  had  long  projected  forty  or  fifty 
feet  over  the  bank,  which  was  gradually  caved  out 
by  the  wasting  waters.  A  wide  and  deep  fissure 
ran  across  a  considerable  portion  of  it,  giving  warn- 
ing that  its  period  for  breaking  off  from  the  side 
could  not  be  distant.  Yet  such  was  the  zeal  of  all 
the  world  to  view  the  cataract  from  this  fine  post  of 
observation,  that  the  venture  was  made  to  the  very 
last.  Not  two  minutes  before  its  final  plunge,  a 
lady  and  gentleman  had  stepped  from  it  to  the  solid 
ground. 

One  mile  above  this  Fall  is  the  Burning  Spring, 
which  is  covered  in  by  a  hut.  After  seeing  the 
hydrogen  gas,  which  issues  from  it,  once  lighted  by 
a  torch,  I  had  seen  enough,  and  retreated  to  the 


480  NIAGARA. 


margin  of  the  rapid.  The  fall  of  the  ground  here  is 
one  hundred  and  fifty-four  feet  in  two  miles,  while 
the  water  narrows  by  means  of  Groat  Island,  and  be- 
comes about  twenty  feet  in  depth.  It  was  here  that 
the  power  and  force  of  the  torrent  made  the  strong- 
est impression  on  my  mind.  It  was  like  hundreds 
of  fleet  steeds  at  full  gallop,  pouring  on  to  their  goal, 
and  bearing  down  all  before  them.  Irresistible,  un- 
wearying, unceasing,  unchanging.  Pure  emerald,  so 
that  you  could  count  the  stones  below,  but  fearful, 
tremendous,  gigantic,  as  it  coursed  along.  Its  sur- 
face a  little  curled,  but  by  no  means  indicating  by 
superficial  disturbance  the  might  of  its  movements. 

It  may  sound  strange  to  say  that,  after  the  Rapid, 
the  Fall  itself  seemed  a  helpless  thing.  When  it 
reaches  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  what  can  the  tor- 
rent do  but  fall !  It  must  go  down  !  The  Rapid 
looks  like  a  thing  of  life.  It  seems  possessed  of 
volition.  The  Falls  like  other  falling  things,  tum- 
bles into  the  boiling  pool  below,  because  it  must. 
How  can  it  avoid  it  1 

Nay — more  strange !  I  have  seen  smaller  cas- 
cades which  seemed  to  have  more  a  will  of  their  own 
than  has  this  mighty  Niagara.  They  come  skipping 
down,  stop  and  run  about  the  ledge  of  a  rock,  and 
then  skip  down  a  little  farther,  as  if  they  were  at 


NIAGARA.  431 


play,  and  would  reach  the  bottom  at  their  leisure. 
While  in  the  Niagara  river  it  is  one  fell  swoop,  one 
deadly  plunge,  one  tumble  over  a  precipice  of  154 
feet  in  height  into  a  caldron  of  250  feet  in  depth. 
In  that  caldron  something  like  volition  is  recover- 
ed, for  the  fallen  waters  foam  up  again,  as  though 
they  would  re-ascend  the  precipice,  but  finding  that 
impracticable  they  turn  and  course  their  way  once 
more,  like  race-horse,  down  the  rocky  gorge.  They 
meet  a  fresh  impediment  about  four  miles  below, 
where  a  mountain  crossing  what  would  seem  the  nat- 
ural path  of  the  waters,  forces  them  to  bend  abrupt- 
ly, and  seek  another  outlet,  not,  however,  until  they 
have  made  many  a  rapid  turning  in  the  whirlpool. 

In  that  whirlpool,  which  we  surveyed  from  the 
high  bank  above  its  margin,  we  saw  limbs  of  trees, 
small  debris  of  the  forest,  and  a  broken  hurdle  or 
two,  wheeling  round  and  round,  seeming  not  likely 
ever  to  be  cast  out  of  the  vortex.  Yet,  I  presume, 
a  natural  philosopher  could  observe  the  circles  as 
they  receive  fresh  impulses  from  the  ever-descending 
river,  and  calculate  how  many  must  be  made  before 
the  object  now  in  the  centre  shall  be  cast  out  to  the 
border.  They  tell  fearful  tales — enough  to  freeze 
the  blood — of  the  bodies  of  those  who  have  been 
drowned  wheeling  round  and  round  far  out  of  reach 


432  NIAGARA. 


in  this  never-resting  caldron — ^now  raising  a  limb, 
now  half  rising  as  if  seated  on  the  waters,  again  div- 
ing as  if  in  breathless  and  living  haste,  but  ever, 
ever  refusing  to  near  the  shore  or  to  be  rescued. 

A  young  Englishman,  Francis  Abbott,  known  as  the 
Hermit  of  the  Falls,  built  him  a  hut  on  Goat  Island 
in  1829,  where  he  dwelt  alone  till  he  was  drowned 
in  bathing  in  1831.  His  history  was  unknown — 
but  his  collection  of  classical  authors,  his  guitar,  his 
sketch-book,  all  indicated  the  man  of  education, 
while  his  gentle  manners  excited  a  strong  desire  to 
learn  if  he  were  "  crazed  with  care,  or  crossed  in 
hopeless  love."  Mrs.  Sigoumey  has,  with  her  usual 
power  and  grace,  told  the  young  hermit's  fate,  and 
her  description  of  the  whirlpool  will  explain  what 
sights  are  sometimes  to  be  seen  there  more  graphi- 
ally  than  anything  I  can  say  : 


He  'neath  the  crystal  waters  lay, 
Luxuriant  in  the  swimmer's  play, 
But  now  the  whelming  flood  grew  strong 
And  bore  him  like  a  weed  along, 
Though,  with  convulsive  throes  of  pain 
And  heaving  breast,  he  strove  in  vain ; 
Then  sinking  'neath  the  infuriate  tide. 
Lone  as  he  lived,  the  Hermit  died. 


On  by  the  rushing  current  swept 
The  lifeless  corse  its  voyage  kept, 


NIAGARA.  433 


To  where  in  narrow  gorge  comprest, 

The  whirling  eddies  never  rest, 

But  boil  with  wild  tumultuous  sway, 

The  Maelstrom  of  Niagara. 

And  there  within  that  rocky  bound 

In  swift  gyrations  round  and  round, 

Mysterious  course  it  held ; 

Now  springing  from  the  torrent  hoarse, 

Now  battling,  as  with  maniac  force 

To  mortal  strife  compelled. 

Right  fearful  "ueath  the  moonbeam  bright 

It  was  to  see  that  brow  so  white, 

And  mark  the  ghastly  dead 

Leap  upward  from  his  torture-bed 

As  if  in  passion's  gust, 

And  tossing  wild  with  agony, 

To  mock  the  omnipotent  decree 

Of  dust  to  dust. 

At  length,  where  smoother  waters  flow. 

Emerging  from  the  gulf  below 

The  hapless  youth  they  gained,  and  bore 

Sad  to  his  own  forsaken  door. 

There  watched  his  dog  with  straining  eye, 

And  scarce  would  let  the  train  pass  by. 

Till  that  with  instinct's  rushing  spell 

Through  the  changed  cheek's  impurpled  hue, 

And  stiff  and  stony  form,  he  knew 

The  Master  he  had  loved  so  well. 

******* 
While  strew'd  around  on  board  and  chair 
The  last  pluck'd  flower,  the  book  last  read, 
The  ready  pen,  the  page  outspread. 
The  water  cruse,  the  unbroken  bread, 
Revealed  how  sudden  was  the  snare 
That  swept  him  to  the  dead. 
28 


4M  NIAGAKA. 

And  so  he  rests  in  foreign  earth 

Who  drew  'mid  Albion's  vales  his  birth. 

*  *  ¥f  *  *  It  * 

Who  here  his  humble  worahip  paid, 
In  that  most  glorious  temple-shrine, 
Where  to  the  Majesty  divine 
Nature  her  noblest  altar  made. 

******* 
Still  with  sad  heart  his  requiem  pour 
Amid  the  cataract's  ceaseless  roar, 
Nor  grudge  one  tear  of  pitying  gloom 
To  dew  that  sad  enthusiast's  tomb. 

It  would  be  but  vain  repetition  to  tell  of  the 
American  Fall,  the  Cave  of  the  Winds,  the  many 
Islets  and  the  varied  beauties  of  the  shore,  which 
have  been  so  often  described.  There  was,  however, 
one  object  at  the  edge  of  the  Horse-Shoe  Fall, 
when  we  saw  it,  which  had  but  lately  been  carried 
down  the  Rapid,  and  which  excited  much  interest. 
This  was  a  canal-boat  that  had  broken  from  its 
moorings,  and  glided  onward,  till  it  came  within  that 
j^ower  which  will  not  be  impeded  or  robbed  of  its 
prey.  Before  the  boat  reached  the  fiercest  part  of 
the  Rapid,  a  man  and  boy  were  rescued  from  their 
impending  fate,  by  the  skill  and  bravery  of  some 
who  from  the  shore  observed  them.  But  the  boat 
swept  on,  and  the  spectators  expected  to  see  her 
plunge  down. the  cataract.     A  projecting  rock,  how- 


NIAGARA.  435 


ever,  caught  her,  and  there,  on  the  very  verge  of 
that  watery  precipice,  she  lay,  broadside  to  the  fall, 
balanced  against  that  small  ledge  of  rock,  and  seem- 
ing almost  to  look  down  into  that  perilous  gulf 
Her  fate  was  certain,  but  it  was  retarded.  Some 
months  after,  the  rock  gave  way  under  the  constant 
pressure  of  those  mighty  waters.  She  plunged  be- 
low, and  doubtless  was  dashed  to  fragments  which 
would  join  the  debris  in  that  dizzy  and  ceaseless 
whirlpool. 

One  might  moralize,  and  fill  a  sheet  with  musings, 
on  the  course,  to  ruin  of  many  a  youth  who  set  sail 
in  quiet  waters,  fell  into  evil,  plunged  on,  was 
stopped,  but  not  reformed,  and  at  last  plunged  into 
a  depth  more  dreadful  far  than  this. 

How  often  have  I  thought  had  the  man  and  boy 
not  been  rescued  before  the  boat  stuck  fast,  what 
could  have  been  done  to  reach  them,  to  save  them 
from  perishing  of  hunger  and  of  horror,  so  near  two 
friendly  banks,  where  hundreds  would  have  longed 
to  deliver  them.  As  far  as  I  can  see,  the  answer 
must  be — nothing.  Could  they  have  been  reached 
by  such  an  apparatus  as  Manby's  ? 

Oh,  solemn  fate  !  So  long  protracted  :  death 
suspended  as  by  a  hair,  yet  the  living  moving  on 
greensward,  even  within  call,  unless  the  voice  of 


436  NIAGARA. 


the  waters  conquered  that  of  man.  What  a  mercy 
they  were  not  brought  down  in  that  boat  to  linger 
and  die  on  that  verge. 

The  noise  of  many  waters  is  not  of  the  astounding 
character  expected  by  those  unaccustomed  to  it. 
There  is  no  doafening  roar,  no  sound  of  exploding 
bombs  arising  from  the  Falls.  It  is  a  solemn  voice 
of  deep  harmonies,  plunging  and  profound,  not 
splashing  or  dropping.  In  the  mingled  and  various 
sounds  of  daylight,  it  may  be  mistaken  for  the  roll- 
ing of  heavy  machinery,  forming  a  deep  bass  to  the 
lowing  of  cattle,  the  barking  of  dogs,  and  the 
whistle  of  the  ploughman.  It  is  at  night,  when  all 
is  still,  that  the  noise  is  sensibly  heard  and  felt. 
Felt^  I  say,  for  the  concussion  of  the  falling  waters 
booms  in  the  ear  like  an  eternal  thing ;  while,  ever 
and  anon,  as  the  circles  of  trembling  air  float  by 
your  resting-place,  so  does  every  door,  window,  and 
movable  thing  jar:  It  is  as  if  a  giant  took  up  the 
house,  gave  it  a  hasty  shake,  and  put  it  down  again, 
renewing  the  process  at  varied  intervals,  from  two 
minutes  to  five,  all  the  night  long.  It  must  depend 
on  the  quarter  from  which  the  wind  blows,  whether 
this  ceaseless  vibration  is  strong  or  weak.  It  is  said 
that  the  sound  is  frequently  heard  on  Lake  Erie,  at 


NIAGABA.  437 


the  distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  and  has  been  heard 
even  at  Toronto,  which  is  forty-four  miles  off. 

Few  things  are  more  fit  to  teach  how  great  is  the 
mistake  so  often  made  by  our  self-complacence  when 
we  imagine  that  all  things  are  made  to  gratify  or 
instruct  Man.  Whether  he  wake  or  sleep,  whether 
he  die  or  never  was  born,  the  flowerets  blow,  the 
ocean  roars,  the  brooks  shine  on  their  way,  and 
Niagara  makes  the  surrounding  earth  tremble  on  his. 

There  are  eyes  that  we  see  not  observing  and  ad- 
miring the  works  of  creation.  The  eyes  of  watchers 
that  wake  when  we  sleep,  and  guard  and  prevent 
when  we  are  in  danger — and  that  give  to  God  the 
glory  due  unto  his  name  in  everything.  Oh  to  have 
every  earthly  admiration  enjoyed  with  their  purity, 
and  enhanced  by  their  holiness  ! 

We  have  seen  the  sea  breathing  calmly  as  in 
slumber.  We  have  seen  the  tides  ebbing  and  flow- 
ing like  a  pulse.  We  have  seen  the  curling  wave 
bathing  its  playful  crest  in  sunshine  and  pure  air. 
We  have  seen  old  Ocean  rising  in  his  might,  until 
billow  upon  billow  rose  and  fell  like  the  rolled  hills 
which  are  formed  ere  the  plain  rises  into  a  lofty 
range  of  mountains.  We  have  seen  wave  swell  after 
wave,  and  plunge  along  as  if  resolved  to  assail  a 


438  NIAGARA. 


"battery  of  rocks,  and  sweep  them  down  into  the 
capacious  bosom  of  the  deep.  We  have  counted 
their  wonderful  succession,  till  growing  in  power, 
when  they  reached  the  mystic  number  nine,  they 
would  rise  in  awful  force  into  the  very  clouds  when 
the  rocks  or  pier  stopped  their  headlong  course, 
and  fall  in  scattered  foam  far  up  on  the  dry  land. 
Many  a  time  has  the  mind  kindled  at  the  view  of 
the  boundless  waters  in  all  their  changing  moods, 
and  felt  that  the  hand  of  God  was  there,  not  more 
when  the  billows  lift  up  themselves  than  when  they 
die  upon  the  shore. 

But  there  is  a  sentiment  awakened  by  the  Falls  of 
Niagara  differing  from  all  others.  Ocean  has  its 
storms  and  calms — its  ebbs  and  flows.  Niagara  is 
ever  the  same.  It  has  been  so  for  uncounted  ages. 
Who  knows  how  many  generations  of  Red  Men 
were  familiar  with  that  sullen  roar  before  the  year 
1678,  when  a  description  of  it  was  given  to  Europe 
by  Father  Hennepin  ?  or  how  man}^  centuries  it  had 
flowed  and  plunged  down  the  steep,  before  the  Red 
Man  was  bom  ?  Ever — ever  have  the  waters  of 
Lake  Erie  fed  that  powerful  torrent,  and  ever — ever 
has  it  been  flung  down  that  precipice. 

They  compute  that  the  four  miles  of  rapids  below 
the  Falls,  which  are  hemmed  in  by  rocks  as  high  and 


.     NIAGARA.  439 


steep  as  those  In  its  immediate  vicinity,  have  all 
been  cut  through  and  wasted  by  the  water.  Who 
can  tell  if  this  be  so,  or  at  what  snail's  pace  this 
mining  work  has  been  accomplished  ?  It  is  not  by 
cutting  the  upper  rocks.  They  shine  through  the 
transparent  water  with  edges  as  sharp  as  if  they  had 
just  come  from  under  the  quarry-man's  tool.  The 
cascade  slowly  cuts  its  way  by  the  revulsion  of  the 
cast-down  waters  caving  out  the  earth  below,  making 
a  "  Cave  of  the  Winds"  between  the  shining  liquid 
sheet  on  one  side,  and  the  dull  soil  on  the  other,  till 
the  superincumbent  Kock,  having  lost  its  support,  is 
plunged  down  prone.  And  should  the  deluge  of 
fire  which  will  ultimately  turn  all  these  waters  into 
vapors  of  smoke,  be  so  long  delayed,  the  Niagara 
Falls  may  yet  eat  their  way  back  to  Lake  Erie. 

Time — Time — thou  hast  come  from  the  bosom  of 
Eternity,  as  this  river  comes  from  the  bosom  of 
the  Lake.  Yet  the  Lake  is  not  emptied  or  dimin- 
ished, neither  is  Eternity.  How  many  rapids,  and 
cataracts,  and  whirlpools  have  we  to  encounter  who 
float  for  a  while  on  thy  surface  !  What  momentous 
results  hang  on  the  passage.  Born  out  of  the  Lake 
— ^buried  in  the  Ocean — are  we  not  like  thee,  Nia- 
gara ?  Born  out  of  Eternity,  and  returning  to 
Eternity,  what  need  to  prepare  for  it.     What  hap- 


440  NIAGARA. 


piness  and  joy  to  be  reconciled  to  the  Eternal,  to 
taste  His  redeeming  love,  to  dwell  in  the  light  of 
His  smile  forever  and  ever. 

The  time  is  at  hand  when  the  "  mighty  angel 
clothed  with  a  cloud,  with  a  rainbow  around  his 
head,"  shall  lift  up  his  hand  to  Heaven,  and  swear 
by  Him  that  liveth  forever,  who  created  all  that  is 
beautiful  and  grand  in  earth,  sky,  and  ocean,  "  that 
there  shall  be  time  no  longer."  Then  our  opinions, 
our  tastes,  our  criticisms,  our  books,  will  all  be  as 
nothing — and  our  interest  in  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord 
our  Righteousbess  will  be  All  in  All. 

"  The  sun  is  but  a  spark  of  fire, 
A  transient  meteor  in  the  sky. 
The  soul,  immortal  as  its  Sire, 
Shall  never  die." 


THE  END. 


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WHITECROSS'S  Anecdotes  on  the  Assembly's  Catechism 30 

WHITE'S  (Hugh)  Meditation  on  Prayer.  I8mo 40 

Believer ;  a  Series  of  Discourics.    ISmo 40 

Practical  Reflections  on  the  Second  Advent.    18mo 40 

(Henry  Kirke)  Complete  Works.    Life  by  Southey 1  50 

WILBERFORCE'S  (Wm.)  Practical  View.    Large  type.  12mo.  1  00 

WILLIAMS,  (Rev.  John,)  Missionary  to  Polynesia,  Life  of 1  00 

WILSON'S  Lights  and  Shadows  of  Scottish  Life.    16mo.  Illus- 
trated from  original  drawings 75 


12  C.IRTERS'    PUBLICATIONS. 


WINER'S  Idioms  of  the  Language  of  the  New  Testament 2  50 

WINSLOW  on  Personal   Declension  and  Revival 60 

Midnight  Harmonies;  or,  Thuughts  for  Ihe  Season  of  Soli- 
tude and  Sorrow.   Ifimo 60 

WILUSON'S  Sacriunental  Meditations  and  Advices.   18mo 50 

WYLEE'S  Journey  over  the  Region  of  Fulfilled  Prophecy 30 

XENOPHON'S  Whole  Works.  Translated 2  00 

YOUNG'S  Night  Thoughts.  Ifirao.  Large  type,  with  Portrait. . .  1  00 

Do.                      do.                                extra  gilt 1  50 

Do.                     do.            Turkey  morocco,  gilt 2  00 

Do.                    do.                  18mo,  close  type 40 


EGBERT  CARTER  &  BROTHERS, 

Would  invite  special  attention  to  the  following  New  Books,  which 

will  also  be  found  under  their  appropriate   heads  in  the  foregoing 

pages: 

AMERICA  AS  I  FOUND  IT.  By  Mrs.  Duncan,  author  of  the  Me- 
moirs of  Mary  Lundie  Duncan,  &c.    JGmo. 

LECTURES  ON  THE  EVIDENCES  OF  CHRISTIANITY.  Delivered 
at  the  University  of  Virginia,  by  eminent  Clergymen  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  8vo.  13  portraits. 

HENCSTENBERG  on  the  Apocalypse. 

MEMOIR  OF  WILLIAM  TUTTLE. 

THE  FOLDED  LAMB. 

FRANK  NETHERTON ;  or,  the  Talisman. 

CHARITY  AND  ITS  FRUITS.    By  Jonathan  Edwards. 

FAR  OFF;  or,  Asia  and  Australia  Described.  By  the  Author  of  the 
"  Peep  of  Day,"  &c.    Illustrated. 

KITTO'S  Daily  Bible  Illustrations.  Evening  Series,  4  vols.,  uniform 
with  the  Morning  Series. 

WHEAT  OR  CHAFF  ?    By  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Ryle. 

MAN— HIS  RELIGION  AND  HIS  WORLD.    By  Bonar.    18mo. 

SONGS  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  MY  PILGRIMAGE. 

CHRISTIAN  DUTY.    By  John  Angel  James. 


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